The company wants to shut down 56 of them because of low usage, but the district executive board this week agreed to raise an objection in 33 cases.Meanwhile, the board has also called for a moratorium on closures within the proposed National Park.

This is because as yet identified uses for older-style kiosks within the park could be found, such as information points, emergency contact or 'key landmarks'.

A board report said BT had offered communities the option of 'adopting' kiosks – retaining them, with the telephony removed – or effectively subsidising them to retain telephony.

Three criteria had been considered for determining the need to retain telephony at the 56 locations:

* Mobile phone reception in the area

* Kiosk usage

* Heritage value

The report said all 56 affected kiosks were older style, and some were situated in a context that had greater aesthetic value.

Some kiosks were already officially listed as historic structures, and possible listing was now being pursued in a further seven locations, together with other places where listing would not be possible but the retention of the kiosk was desirable.

The removal of public payphones impacted mainly on households and individuals without independent means of telecommunication.

"Consultation with parishes has sought to determine if there are specific areas where local levels of phone ownership would necessitate the retention of a public payphone," the report added.

Senior community engagement officer Dave Hyland said: "Where we are proposing to object to the removal of a box, this is always with parish support."


The board agreed to object to the removal of telephones in the following cases:
Junction Bepton/Severals Road, Bepton; junction Westgate/Parklands Road, Chichester; Chichester Road, West Marden; Duke of Cumberland, Henley; outside Star and Garter, East Dean; outside Seaford College, East Lavington; opposite Elsted Inn, Elsted; outside church, Elsted Road, Harting; Kingsley Green Marley Heights, Fernhurst; outside Horse and Groom, East Ashling; opposite Three Moles Inn, Selham; East Harting Street, East Harting; Club Hall, Leggs Lane, Heyshott; outside Orchard Cottages, Lavant; opposite Hollist Arms, Lodsworth; village green, Lurgashall; opposite Willow Cottage, East Marden; Fisher Street, Northchapel; outside Petworth Post Office, East Street; outside village stores, Byworth; outside Sun Inn, Plaistow; Parsonage Estate, Rogate; outside Fairview, Lockgate Road, Sidlesham; Foxhill Lane, Charlton; Cooks Lane, Walderton; Milberry Lane, Stoughton; outside Home Farm, Upperton; outside Tillington Post Office, Tillington; opposite Tuxleith, Trotton; School Lane, West Dean; Main Road, Westerton; junction Billingshurst/Loxwood Road, Wisborough Green; Redford Post Office, Redford.

Removal was agreed in the following locations:
Outside Stones Cottage, Bignor; opposite Berkeley Arms, Bosham; outside Mainline Tavern, Whyke Road, Chichester; outside Eades, Chidham Lane, Chidham; Stockbridge Gardens/Birdham Road, Donnington; outside village hall, Fittleworth; West Stoke Farmhouse, Funtington; outside Hillview Cottages, West Harting; outside Red Oak, Graffham; opposite White House, Nyewood; Pook Lane, East Lavant; outside Post Office, Guildford Road, Loxwood; opposite Ifold Stores, Plaistow Road, Loxwood; outside Half Moon Inn, Petersfield Road, Midhurst; outside Rising Sun, Rake Road, Milland; outside Walnut Tree, Vinnetrow Road, North Mundham; Highfield Lane, Oving; outside Kellows, Hampers Green, Petworth; Grove Lane, Petworth; Terwick Common, Rogate; The Street, Stedham; Mill Lane, Dumpford; opposite Bat and Ball, Newpound, Wisborough Green.



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