Decision details

BT Telephone Box Removals Consultation

Decision Maker: Lead Cabinet member for Planning

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

The purpose of this decision is to agree or object to the removal of 71 telephone kiosks currently being consulted upon by BT. The Council may also agree to the relevant parish council, or relevant local group, adopting kiosks being consulted upon, which will result in the kiosk remaining and the telephony equipment being removed. BT, and other providers, must consult the local authority before removing any telephone kiosks or telephony equipment from kiosks.

The BT consultation is time-limited. A draft decision by the Sustainable Communities Manager was published and sent to the Secretary of State on 13 October 2016 following an initial 42-day consultation. This is the final decision, which follows a further consultation with parish councils, parish meetings and relevant Ward Councillors.

Decision:

The criteria above, plus local knowledge, has informed the decisions:

	Telephone number	Location	Decision (Agree/ Adopt/ Object)	Reason(s)
1	01799530221	Frogge Street, Ickleton, CB10 1SH	Adopt	The Parish Council has stated that it would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
2	01223870785	Station Rd, Foxton, CB22 6SD	Object	Nearest kiosk to level crossing, no other emergency phone near location.
3	01223290229	Acre Road, Carlton, CB8 9LF	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
4	01223891480	High Street, Horseheath, CB21 4QN	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
5	01954715032	Greenhaze Lane, Great Cambourne, CB23 5BH	Object	31% residents living in social or private rented accommodation.
6	01767677315	Main Road, Little Gransden, SG19 3DW	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
7	01767650358	The Cinques, Gamlingay, SG19 3NU	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
8	01767650348	East Hatley, Sandy, SG19 3HZ	Object	There is poor mobile coverage despite statistics suggesting otherwise. The parish council has collected evidence to support this. 26% residents living in social or private rented accommodation (2011 census).
9	01767650262	Hatley St. George, Sandy, SG19 3HP	Object	Mobile reception unreliable for two of the major providers.
10	01767631296	Tadlow, Royston, SG8 0EJ	Object	Mobile reception unreliable for two of the major providers. 2 accidents in vicinity in recent years (2013 and 2014).
11	01480880287	Abbotsley Road, Croxton, PE19 6SZ	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
12	01480830317	High Street, Graveley, PE19 6PL	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
13	01480830220	Nr Clubhouse Cottage, Papworth Saint Agnes, CB23 3QU	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk (address of kiosk in relation to this consultation is disputed locally). The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
14	01954781992	Pheasant Rise, Bar Hill, CB23 8SB	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
15	01954780691	Gladeside, Bar Hill, CB23 8DY	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
16	01954780133	Magdalene Close, Longstanton, CB24 3EG	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
17	01954719346	Broadway, Bourn, CB23 2TA	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
18	01954719344	Hall Close, Bourn, CB23 2SW	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
19	01954267201	Smith Street, Elsworth, CB23 4HY	Object	There is poor mobile coverage despite statistics suggesting otherwise. The parish council has collected evidence to support this. 21% residents living in social or private rented accommodation (2011 census).
20	01954250220	High Street, Rampton, CB24 8QE	Adopt	The parish council are happy to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
21	01954250201	High Street, Cottenham, CB24 8RX	Object	23% residents living in social or private rented accommodation (2011 census).
22	01954230534	Cootes Lane, Fen Drayton, CB24 4SL	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
23	01954230379	Willingham Road, Over, CB24 5PD	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
24	01954230295	Boxworth End, Swavesey, CB24 4RA	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
25	01954230289	Station Road, Over, CB24 5NJ	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
26	01954230283	West Street, Over, CB24 5PL	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
27	01954230244	High Street, Swavesey, CB24 4QU	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
28	01954210440	High Street, Madingley, CB24 8AB	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
29	01954 210267	Main Street, Hardwick, CB23 7QU	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
30	01954210214	Scotland Road, Dry Drayton, CB23 8AT	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
31	01763852337	Abington Pigotts, Royston, SG8 0SD	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
32	01763852292	The Green, Steeple Morden,SG8 0NA	Adopt	The parish council is considering adoption. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
33	01763838291	Chrishall Grange, Royston, SG8 7NT	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
34	01763260441	Medcalfe Way, Melbourn, SG8 6HU	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
35	01763260440	Dunsbridge Turnpike,Shepreth,SG8 6RA	Object	There have been 12 accidents near the location of which three were serious in 2011, 2013 and 2014.
36	01763260274	North End, Meldreth, SG8 6NT	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
37	01763208498	High Street, Fowlmere, SG8 7SS	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
38	01763208358	The Green, Thriplow, SG8 7QX	Adopt	Whilst the usage is relatively high for a rural area the parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
39	01223894016	West Wickham Road, Balsham, CB21 4DZ	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
40	01223893034	High Street, Balsham, CB21 4EP	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
41	01223891399	High Street, Great Abington, CB21 6AB	Object	The Parish Council has stated that there is poor mobile signal in this area despite statistics suggesting otherwise.
42	01223891192	Rivey Way, Linton, CB21 4LH	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
43	01223891121	Bartlow, Cambridge, CB21 4 PW	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
44	01223880509	PCO1 School Lane, Fulbourn, CB21 5BH	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
45	01223880211	PCO2 School Lane, Fulbourn, CB21 5BH	N/A	REMOVED FROM CONSULTATION - now subject to separate consultation.
46	01223880113	Fulbourn Old Drift, Cambridge, CB1 9LR	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
47	01223870338	Cambridge Road, Newton, CB22 7PL	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
48	01223870235	Church Road, Hauxton, CB22 5HS	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
49	01223870216	Barton Road, Haslingfield, CB23 1LL	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
50	01223860828	Denny End Road, Waterbeach,CB25 9PB	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
51	01223860436	Ely Road, Chittering, CB25 9PH	Object	In recent years there have been six accidents near the location of the kiosk: one was fatal (2016) and one was serious in (2013).
52	01223842022	High Green, Great Shelford, CB22 5EG	Object	In recent years there have been seven accidents near the location of the kiosk: two of which were serious in 2012 and 2016.
53	01223840018	Cambridge Road, Great Shelford,CB22 5JU	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
54	01223834883	Duxford Airfield, Duxford,CB22 4QR	N/A	REQUESTED REMOVAL FROM CONSULTATION DUE TO INCORRECT ADDRESS FOR KIOSK. REQUEST SENT TO BT ON 01/11/16.
55	01223834467	Churchfield Avenue, Sawston, CB22 3LA	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
56	01223834438	Newton Road, Whittlesford, CB22 4PF	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
57	01223832011	Evans Way, Sawston, CB22 3BX	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
58	01223811322	Stow Road, Stow Cum Quy, CB25 9AD	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. The Parish Council is supportive of removing the kiosk despite mobile signal being unreliable for two of the major providers given the usage figures.
59	01223811318	High Street, Little Wilbraham, CB21 5JY	Adopt	The parish council would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for most major providers.
60	01223413473	Eland Way, Cambridge, CB1 9XQ	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
61	01223 293371	High Street, Teversham, CB1 9AS	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
62	01223290311	Common Road, Weston Colville, CB21 5NS	Adopt	A local group would like to adopt the kiosk. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
63	01223276754	Cambridge Road, Girton, CB3 0PL	Adopt	The parish council is considering adoption. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
64	01223276397	Girton Road, Girton, CB3 0PQ	Adopt	The parish council is considering adoption. The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
65	01223262649	Field Road, Kingston, CB23 2NQ	Object	22% residents living in social or private rented accommodation (2011 census). There is poor mobile coverage despite statistics suggesting otherwise.
66	01223262420	Harlton Road, Little Eversden, CB23 1HD	Object	19% residents living in social or private rented accommodation (2011 census). There is poor mobile coverage despite statistics suggesting otherwise.
67	01223232411	Station Road, Impington, CB24 9NP	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
68	01223232212	Orchard Road, Histon, CB24 9HL	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
69	01223207348	Meldreth Road, Whaddon, SG8 5RS	Object	25% residents living in social or private rented accommodation (2011 census).
70	01223207282	Hill Side Lane, Arrington, SG8 0DA	Agree	The location is not known to be near an accident black spot. The usage figures are low. Mobile reception in the area is good for all major providers.
71	01223207044	High Street, Croydon, SG8 0DR	Object	14% residents living in social or private rented accommodation (2011 census). Many older people living area and mix of housing. High usage / well used for a rural area.

Alternative options considered:

In making its decision, the Council must consider the following:

Who lives there?

The type of local housing around a phone box may say how important it is to the area. If it’s surrounded by people who own their homes, there’s a fair chance they have home phones or mobiles as well. However, if the neighbourhood has mainly rented properties, social housing or residential-care homes, it could be that there are people on low incomes who need that phone box.

Emergency calls

Many people feel reassured that phone boxes are available if there’s an emergency. This can range from 999 calls to being able to call for help if your car breaks down. The local organisation needs to think about whether a particular phone box is more likely to be used for emergency calls than another. If, for example, the call box is near a known accident blackspot, it may strengthen the argument for it to be kept.

What are the takings?

Whether it’s a shop, a pub or a phone box, the amount of money people spend on a local service is a sign of whether it’s important to them. BT may be able to show how much business a particular phone box is getting. If it’s a very low figure, this may support their case to remove it.

The Council’s options are to:

(i) Agree to the removal of each kiosk being consulted upon, or

(ii) Object to the removal of each kiosk being consulted upon, or

(iii) Agree to the parish council or parish meeting adopting the kiosk, which will result in the kiosk remaining and the telephony equipment being removed.

Publication date: 09/11/2016

Date of decision: 09/11/2016

Effective from: 17/11/2016

Accompanying Documents:

No Additional Documents