British Telecom is proposing to take away fifteen payphones on the Island, four of which appear to be unused, says the communications provider.
But another two of them, outside Esplanade Pavilion in Ryde, and another in the town's St. Thomas Square, appear to be rather better used, with an average of 17 calls being made from them every month.
Now, the Isle of Wight Council has begun a public consultation, as rules about communication say it must, to gauge public opinion about the payphones' removal.
Telecoms regulator Ofcom specifies the procedure for having a payphone closed, if British Telecom — obliged to provide a universal service — believes the location no longer has a need for a public telephone.
That's despite the communication giant saying, as long as eight years ago, that six out of ten phone boxes at that time were not taking in enough money to cover their costs.
A full consultation must take place, Ofcom says, if BT plans to take away a payphone that has no alternative device within 400 metres' walking distance.
In considering BT's proposal, the Isle of Wight Council needs to weigh-up factors such as the quantity of rented housing nearby, or a possible need for emergency calls e.g. if the payphone is next to a harbour.
Representations to the council, by email to [email protected], are being welcomed until June 25.
In this table, we have listed the phones which BT proposes to remove, together with their locations and the average number of calls per month they are used for (figures supplied by Isle of Wight Council).
| Location | Calls Per Month |
|---|---|
| Opposite Royal Needles Hotel, Alum Bay, Totland Bay | 0 |
| Near the RNLI on The Quay, Yarmouth | 5 |
| Outside 66 Junction of Lower Church Rd and Solent View Road, Cowes | 1 |
| Juction of Woodbale Road and Shore Road near "W Hotel", Cowes | 3 |
| Outside No. 130 Shooters Hill junction with High Street, Cowes | 14 |
| Outside No. 1, Coronation Avenue junction with Newport Road | 0 |
| Outside No 93-94 South Street junction with St James Street, Newport | 0 |
| Junction Seven Sisters Road with Undercliff Drive, Ventnor | 0 |
| Outside Brookside, Bonchurch Village Road, Ventnor | 2 |
| Opposite 83 High Street, Shanklin | 13 |
| Outside Whitecliff Lodge, Hillway Road, Bembridge | 2 |
| Former Post Office, Madeira Road, Seaview | 1 |
| Entrance to Puck Pool Park, Ryde | 1 |
| Outside Esplanade Pavilion, Ryde | 17 |
| Next to Crown Hotel, St. Thomas Square, Ryde | 17 |
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