MP MAKES CASE FOR RETENTION OF PAYPHONES IN SUBMISSION TO BT

3.45.41pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Jul 2008

In his submission to BT's consultation on the possible removal of up to 40 payphones in his constituency, Borders MP Michael Moore has made the case for the retention of these payphones as possible lifelines for local residents.

BT announced plans to remove thousands of payphones across the country as part of a wider cost-cutting exercise. They identified payphones in towns and villages across the Borders that they wish to close. The places affected include towns such as Hawick and Lauder, as well as villages such as Coldingham and Newstead.

Before making his submission to BT, Mr Moore contacted many of the local residents who would be affected by the closures. He also wrote to all Community Councils to ask for their views. Mr Moore has described the response he received as encouraging. He commented:

"I am pleased that there has been a strong response to this campaign. Indeed, I have received replies from local residents in each of the communities affected, as well as community councils. Everyone who has responded has indicated that they are opposed to BT's plans.

"BT needs to recognise that the Borders is a vast rural area, and many of the places that face losing their payphone have patchy or no mobile phone coverage. While these payphones may be seldom used, there are no alternatives, and it is no exaggeration to say, therefore, that a payphone in one of these locations may make the difference between life and death.

"The submission that I sent to BT was made all the stronger by the significant number of responses I received from local people, and I sincerely hope that BT will view these sympathetically. Here in the Borders we are facing real threats to our way of life, with the forthcoming announcement of post office closures due to follow this announcement from BT. I am determined to do all I can to help protect our local services."