BT Payphones

In October 2016, British Telecommunications ltd (BT) proposed the removal of 38 public payphones from across Dartmoor.  BT's formal consultation includes a list of all the payphones that were under threat, which are also shown on this map.  

Before removing payphones BT are required to notify the local authority (DNPA on Dartmoor) to enable it to carry out a 2 stage community consultation.  The first round of public consultation came to an end on the 31st October 2016 with the second ending on the 27th December 2016.  An objection to the removal of a telephone call box can only be raised if it's retention is considered reasonably necessary, taking into account the following:

• does the payphone serve a social need, particularly in areas where people are less likely to have their own phone
• is the payphone well used
• is there any mobile phone coverage  
• is it likely to be needed for emergencies

Having considered all the responses received, a final notification indicating the Authority's decision was submitted to BT and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the 3rd January 2017.   A copy of the documents can be found by following the links below:

• DNPA Final Decision Schedule on BT Proposals
• DNPA Final Decision Notification to BT
• DNPA Final Decision notification letter to DCMS