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Pay phones given a ring of confidence
SIX of the seven pay phones in Hailsham and Herstmonceux threatened with the axe have been saved.
BT has agreed not to remove the phone boxes in London Road and South Road in Hailsham, Hailsham Road and Windmill Road in Herstmonceux,and those in Lower Horsebridge and Wartling after objections from Wealden District Council.
In addition, the phone box at Wartling has been listed by English Heritage after the council flagged up its importance to the local area's history.
But a second kiosk in London Road, Hailsham, is to be taken away after Wealden told BT it was not used enough to justify its existence.
BT revealed last June that these seven pay phones were being earmarked for removal, saying the network needed to be trimmed, but added any which satisfied 'a social need' would be reprieved.
After receiving letters from local residents and parish councils, Wealden District Council objected to six of the kiosks being removed.
It said one of the phone boxes in London Road, Hailsham had a good usage (729 calls per year), despite vandalism, and should be retained for the local community.
But in contrast, the second London Road pay phone was used just 25 times per year and should not be saved, Wealden said.
Lower Horsebridge's phone box was used 639 times and the council said it needed to be saved as it is close to a bus stop and a pub. Of the Herstmonceux pay phones, Wealden said the Hailsham Road kiosk was well used (939 calls per year) and was near to a pub and doctor's surgery, while the Windmill Road phone box was located next to a bus stop and should remain.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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