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8th April 2008

Phone Box Plans "A Cut Too Far"

Tory MSP Alex Johnstone has hit out at  plans by BT to remove phone boxes, following an announcement by BT that it is to carry out a  review of payphone operations across the UK.

Commenting, Mr Johntone said "I appreciate that mobile phones are both convenient and also inexpensive to run, but in many areas of the Mearns, it can be extremely difficult to get a mobile signal.  Any plans to remove a local phone box should be rigorously opposed in my view."

"Phone boxes can provide a lifeline for those who, for whatever reason, choose not to have a landline in their home and they are also a useful facility for the many visitors to the area."

Mr Johnstone continued "I appreciate that phone boxes are costly to maintain, but they do provide a very much needed service and I would urge BT to look beyond profit margins and focus on the detrimental effect that removing phone boxes from communities, especially rural ones, would have.  The rural community should not be seen as an easy option for companies like BT, who should bear in mind that with the profits, come responsibilities to provide an accessible service for the public."