DOZENS of public telephone boxes across the High Peak are under threat.
British Telecom is proposing to axe 37 kiosks in and around Buxton, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Whaley Bridge, New Mills, Glossop and the Hope Valley.
The telecommunications giant is conducting a review of its street telephone boxes, claiming many are unp
rofitable.
Prospective Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for the High Peak, Cllr Andrew Bingham, has already voiced his concerns at the plans.
"I fully appreciate that in the age of the mobile phone that usage will be falling, but we need to study this list very carefully as we know that mobile phone signals can be very patchy in the High Peak," he said.
"Also in remote areas where walkers and hikers go, a payphone can be the only way of contacting the outside world."
Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council is awaiting more information before deciding whether it should campaign for the retention of kiosks at Chapel Milton, Combs, Bagshaw and The Wash.
Speaking at a recent meeting, Cllr Michael Harrison said: "We need to remember that a lot of these boxes are in remote area, and if you are in an emergency they are invaluable."
But Cllr Richard Clarey stressed: "If we want to keep them, we need to make sure they are usable and viable, or what is the point?"
Similarly, at a meeting of Whaley Bridge Town Council earlier this month, councillors discussed the potential removal of six kiosks from their parish.
Cllr Jon Goldfinch added: "Some people still use them, and their removal will undoubtedly cause a lot of problems."
Consultation on the proposals will run until September.
The full article contains 277 words and appears in Buxton Advertiser newspaper.
