SHROPSHIRE Council says it has received a final listing from BT of 61 payphones in the Shropshire area for permanent removal from service, ahead of a formal 90-day consultation.

Lois Dale, Shropshire Council’s rurality and equalities specialist, says the consultation is set out in two stages; stage one lasts for a minimum of 42 days, after which a provisional view from the council as Local Planning Authority, has to be issued and sent to government.

This will draw upon comments and views received at that stage, from local town councils and parish councils, Shropshire councillors elected in the current local elections, local policing teams, and the public.

She added: "The council would like to hear from people by 4pm on Wednesday, June 23.

"There is then a further month in which any further views are encouraged, taking us up to 4pm on 30 July and a final decision will then be issued by the deadline of August 5.

“We have already made town councils and parish councils aware that this consultation is starting after the Shropshire Council local elections so that as many people as possible can have their say, including newly-elected councillors.

"We know that many of these payphones have come up before, and we are producing a spreadsheet recording details of comments from previous occasions, for all the payphones affected.

“This time around, we are particularly keen to hear about any issues with mobile phone coverage at any of the payphone locations, to help us build up as good a picture as possible of where there continue to be such issues.

"This is not least due to our concerns with regard to payphones in isolated locations, and indeed for people who may not have mobile phones themselves.”

The necessary arrangements are being made with town and parish councils and freshly-elected Shropshire Councillors accordingly, in order to seek views on behalf of the community in each area affected.

For feedback on your views, please contact the lead co-ordinating officer, Lois Dale at lois.dale@shropshire.gov.uk

For a list of which payphones are up for consultation, head to https://shropshire.gov.uk/shropshire-council/bt-payphones/