Is number up for for our payphones?

British Telecom had originally planned to remove 54 of the 151 phones in north Wiltshire because it says they are no longer making a profit.

It claims the booming mobile phone market has made the phones obsolete.

But while it has now cut the number of phones at risk to 25, Mr Gray said their removal could still leave many people isolated. "I fear that their decision to axe 25 phones will adversely affect the most vulnerable in our society," said Mr Gray.

"Many people do not own mobile phones, and those people living in remote locations often rely on them.

"In Slaughterford where I live, there is no mobile phone signal, so motorists, families and the elderly may rely on the payphone in case of emergencies."

He added: "For this reason I have contacted the clerks of the parish and town councils who will be affected by this and made them aware that I am more than happy to support them in a campaign calling for BT to re-consider its proposals."

Mr Gray said he had also approached North Wiltshire District Council about the possibility of having some of the phone boxes listed.

"Some of the old red phone boxes in the area, including ours in Slaughterford and one in Lacock, have been listed and are protected," he said.

"I am now waiting to hear whether this could be applied to some of the phone boxes at risk."

Anyone can apply to have a phone box listed. It can be done through the local authority or direct with the Government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Listing means that any change to the structure is managed with a view to protection and conservation. Any changes would require a listed building consent form that would be issued by the local authority.

Phone boxes in north Wiltshire which have already been listed include the one outside the telephone exchange and railway station in Chippenham, the one immediately east of Corsham Town Hall, and the one on Lacock Road in Corsham. All of these are grade II-listed, and are the traditional 1935 box designed by Charles Gilbert Scott.

Chippenham Town Council confirmed that it had been contacted by BT last July about the possible closure of two phone boxes and that the council had not objected.

But last week, BT contacted the council again, saying it had plans to close a further five payphones.

The council, unprepared for further closures, phoned BT which informed it that letters had been sent out. However, there was no record of the letter sent to Chippenham.

Chippenham town clerk Laurie Brown said the council would be looking at each of the payphones, to ensure they do all they can to retain phones that are needed.

"The issue will go to planning in the next week and the members representing each area where those

payphones are, will inform the

committee of their usage," he said.

BT said it was committed to providing a pay phone service but blamed a rise in the use of mobile phones for a dramatic drop payphone usage.

Paul Hendron, director of BT Payphones, said: "BT is proud of its payphone network and we intend to protect it, but the payphones' division has to stand on its own feet."

The payphones will now be subject to a 42-day consultation period.

Phoneboxes under threat

THE 25 North Wiltshire phoneboxes under threat by BT are at the following locations:

Clevancy; Centre of Charlcutt village; Leafy Lane, Corsham; junction of Bath Road and Chippenham Road, Corsham; junction of Brook Street and Hungerdown Lane, Chippenham; Lowden, Chippenham; junction of Bristol Road and Woodlands Road, Chippenham; junction of Greenway Lane and Greenway Gardens, Chippenham; Cocklebury Road, Chippenham; Next to public conveniences at Cross Hayes, Malmesbury; Dog Trap Lane, Minety; Near Foxham Post Office; Centre of villages of Cleverton, Draycot Cerne, Norton, Foxley, Garsdon, Willesley, Sevington, Slaughterford; Opposite the Old Smithy, West Kington; Opposite The Shoe Inn, North Wraxall; Lime Kiln, Wootton Bassett; Tockenham Corner, Swindon; and Moonsleaze Farm, Braydon, Swindon.