ARE telephone boxes a thing of the past?

The iconic red boxes could well become just that across Purbeck as BT propose to remove 42 public boxes from the area.

The Telecom giant has proposed the move on the basis of low usage and the current extent of the mobile network coverage.

In a letter to Purbeck District Council, BT said: "Overall use of payphones has declined by over 90 per cent in the last decade and the need to provide payphones for use in emergency situations is diminishing all the time, with at least 98 per cent coverage of the UK having either 3G or 4G coverage.

"As long as there is network coverage, it’s now possible to call the emergency services, even when there is no credit or coverage from your own mobile provider."

As BT has placed notices in all the relevant kiosks, the District Council is asking communities across the isle to come forward with their opinions on the proposal.

Almost all the kiosks in Purbeck are the recognisable red K6 type, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.

While usage has declined, often as a result of long term neglect, the telephone boxes have long been located in the heart of rural communities and served a vital role over the years.

The District Council has advised all the parishes across the district affected, and most will be considering the issue in upcoming parish and town council meetings.

Communities can object or agree to the loss of service and the box itself. Alternatively, phone boxes can be ‘adopted’, minus the equipment, for £1.

Many phone boxes around the country have already been adopted and put to new community uses, such as medical centres and coffee carts.

Leader of Purbeck District Council Cllr Gary Suttle said: "The council has been made responsible for co-ordinating consultation responses to these proposals and we will be responding to BT on a case-by-case basis.

"The council is not in any way responsible for the proposals put forward by BT. We have already contacted parish councils for their views, but I also urge local residents to take a look at our website to find out which phone boxes are in question and whether they agree or disagree to them being removed."

Comments must be submitted to the council by January 2.

The 42 phone boxes under consideration, along with the number of calls made from each one in the last 12 months, can be found on www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/phoneboxes/purbeck

People may either complete and online survey, send an email marked 'Phone Box removal' to benjaminwebb@purbeck-dc.gov.uk or send a letter. 

Letters should be addressed to: Benjamin Webb, Design and Conservation Officer, Purbeck District Council, Westport House, Worgret Road, Wareham BH20 4PP.