Have your say on the future of payphones

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 5th Aug 2005

The Merthyr Tydfil Liberal Democrats have appealed for local people to have their say in a new round of consultation launched by BT over the future of local payphones in the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney areas.

Local area Assembly Member, Liberal Democrat, Michael German issued the appeal as BT has started exploring new ways of providing payphone services across the country.

"BT is at present obliged to provide access to public payphones to meet the needs of customers. I am fully aware of the commercial pressures the company face and understand that their payphone division is under tight financial pressures. However, I am keen to hear what local people want and feel about BT's latest proposals. I am appealing for people to contact me with their views."

BT states in its advice to Mr German that the increase in mobile phone ownership has led to the number of calls made form BT payphones halving in the last four years. There are 66,000 public payphones in the UK and the majority, over two thirds, of these no longer cover their costs.

Mr. German added, "In the last round of consultation the proposal were fixed on removing payphones altogether. This presented a problem in providing a way of contacting emergency services, particularly in rural areas and where mobile phone reception is patchy. Now BT is proposing to remove payphones where they are little used (including emergency calls) and remove cash calls from some that have been identified for community need and need to remain in place."

BT says that there are currently 679 street-based payphones in South East Wales. Of these 16 are little used and therefore are proposed for removal. The company has further identified 57 payphones with very low use that may still be needed by communities.

In the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency no payphones will be removed, however three will be converted to 'cashless' mode.

Maen Gilfach, Trelewis, Merthyr Tydfil CF46 6BG

Llwynon, Cwmtaf, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 2HT

Bute Town Bypass, High Street, Rhymney NP22 5LP

The future of payphones in Merthyr is under threat

People wishing to contact Michael German's office with their views are asked to contact him by calling 01495 740 358 or by e-mail to: info@mikegerman.org.uk