Public Payphones Saved Thanks To ‘People Power’

People power has forced BT to scrap plans to remove public payphones in Market Harborough and Kibworth.

Residents raised a number of concerns about the proposal to take away phone boxes from The Crescent in Market Harborough and Station Street in Kibworth Beauchamp.

BT had proposed removing them due to low usage.

Kibworth Beauchamp Parish Council objected to the removal of the phonebox in the village as it is one of only two remaining kiosks in the Kibworths and said it was vital it remained, especially if the phone needed to be used by someone in an emergency.

Kevin Feltham, from the Parish Council, told Hfm people also may need to use the phone if they don’t have a working mobile:

BT say a number of objections were received during a period of public consultation.  The company says it has listened to feedback from the community and both boxes will remain in place and operational.

Harborough District Council Leader personally objected to the proposal to remove the phone in Kibworth, his home village:

The phone on Station Street in Kibworth has been saved

The phone box on The Crescent in Market Harborough will also remain in place