A payphone on Wallbridge Road could be removed by BT due to low usage, with a notice inside the phone box indicating plans for its removal.
One resident has raised concerns about the proposal, citing ‘patchy’ mobile phone signal in the area and saying payphones provide a vital and anonymous way for people to reach emergency services, mental health crisis lines, domestic abuse helplines and other support services.
The resident said, “For residents, visitors and anyone passing through, that payphone is not a relic of the past, it is a practical backup that many people may not realise they rely on until it is gone. Whether it is a flat battery, a lost phone or simply no signal at a critical moment, having a working payphone nearby can make an enormous difference.
“Not everyone has a smartphone and not everyone feels safe making certain calls from a personal device. Removing these phones quietly, one by one, chips away at a safety net that protects some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”
BT said it has around 9,000 operational public payphones across the UK, down from around 20,000 two years ago, with usage falling significantly due to the rise in mobile phone ownership and improved coverage.
A BT spokesperson said, “We’re continuing to review our remaining estate of payphones, removing those that are no longer being used. Maintaining and operating a large estate of payphones costs millions of pounds each year.”
Residents are being encouraged to contact Somerset Council with their views. The final decision on whether the phone box is removed will be made by BT.
To share your view, visit Somerset Council’s general enquiries page at https://service.somerset.gov.uk/general-enquiry/ and quote reference ‘BT phone box consultation’.
