Local people are being asked their views about the removal of a phone box on Pickup St, Clayton-le-Moors.

BT are proposing to remove the payphone as demand for it has fallen and they are currently carrying out a 90 day consultation, which ends on 27 September 2020.

In a letter to Hyndburn Council a BT spokesperson said: “We’re continually reviewing the demand for our payphones and we’ve identified a public payphone in your area that isn’t being used enough. We’re proposing to remove it under the 90 day consultation process.

“Overall use of payphones has declined by over 90 per cent in the last decade and the need to provide payphones for use in emergency situations is diminishing all the time, with at least 98 per cent of the UK having mobile coverage. This is important because as long as there is mobile network coverage, it’s possible to call the emergency services, even when there is no coverage from your own mobile network provider.

Also, Ofcom’s affordability report found that most people no longer view payphones as essential for consumers in most circumstances.”

The spokesperson continued: “This is a great opportunity for local communities to adopt their phone box and make it an asset for everyone to enjoy. People across the country are using them for everything from defibrillators to foodbanks. It’s really simple to do and costs just £1 – http://bt.com/adopt “

BT are asking for feedback from the local community, to have your say: email planning@hyndburnbc.gov.uk and say that it refers to the public payphone on Pickup St, Clayton le Moors. If you object to the removal of the payphone please state why you want it to be kept.