Final phone box in Westbury could be here to stay

A payphone in Westbury could be saved from closure after town councillors objected to BT’s plans to remove it.

The phonebox, located on Phoenix Rise near Penleigh Park, has been earmarked for closure by BT due to low usage. A poster inside the phone box, which costs 50p or more to use, reads, “We’re planning to remove this payphone. Unfortunately, it just isn’t used enough for us to carry on running it.

“If you think it should stay, please contact your local authority within 90 days of the date on this notice.”

At a recent meeting of Westbury Town Council’s policy and resources committee, councillors voted to oppose the closure, highlighting that the phone box still serves as a vital lifeline for some residents.

Town Clerk Deborah Urch told the meeting, “There have only been 20 calls in 12 months. But of those 20 calls, two have been to a helpline.”

While some councils have previously adopted redundant kiosks to repurpose them as art displays or mobile libraries, Westbury councillors felt the phone’s original purpose remains important.

Cllr Mark Bailey said, “I don’t think adopting [the kiosk] is right at this moment. There is clearly a community need if helplines have been called.”

Other councillors agreed, and the council will now formally object to BT’s plans. Their comments will be passed to Wiltshire Council before being fed back to BT, who will make the final decision on the phone box’s future.

This is not the first time the Phoenix Rise payphone has faced closure. In 2019, BT proposed removing it as part of a county-wide review of kiosks. At that time, Cllr Sheila Kimmins warned, “When they are used, it can and could be an emergency. So, I for certain would not like to see them removed from Westbury.”

Under Ofcom’s updated rules, objections can be made if there is insufficient mobile coverage, regular use, the phone is in an area with a high number of accidents or suicides, or if there is “other clear evidence demonstrating a reasonable community need.”

Picture: The phonebox has been used by people to reach charity helplines