SHROPSHIRE Council has issued a provisional view with regard to the 61 payphones that BT has proposed to remove from operational service in the council area.

BT has an obligation to consult with Shropshire Council about these. With the formal 90 day consultation underway, it is now at the end of the first stage, where the council to issue a provisional view and send it to the Government.

“The council is issuing what is very much an interim view at this stage, as we absolutely appreciate that parish councils and town councils have not all had chance to get back to us as yet,” said Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for communities, place, tourism and transport.

“We are very grateful to those who have done so, and to the additional information people have been able to give about mobile phone coverage at the payphone locations. This is not least due to our concerns with regard to the continued need for payphones in isolated locations.”