What happens next
This consultation has now closed.
The Council has decided to consent to the closure and removal of 12 phone boxes, but to retain 21 phone boxes under the local veto.
Notification under section 49 of the Communications Act 2003
Decision by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in response to a proposal by British Telecommunications plc for the removal of public call boxes pursuant to Part 2 of the Schedule to a Direction published by Ofcom on 14 March 2006 (‘the Direction’).
- On 1 November 2019 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in accordance with section 49(4) of the Communications Act 2003 (’the Act’), issued a notification setting out its in response to a proposal by British Telecommunications plc for the removal of public call boxes pursuant to Part 2 of the Direction (‘the First Notification’).
- A copy of the First Notification was sent to the Secretary of State in accordance with section 50(1)(b) of the Act.
- In the First Notification, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council invited representations about the draft decision by 5 pm on 1 December 2019
- Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has considered every representation duly made to it and Ofcom has not notified Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council of any international obligation of the United Kingdom for this purpose.
- The decision is set out in the Schedule to this Notification.
- The effect of, and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council reasons for making, the decision is set out in the Schedule to this Notification.
- Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council consider that the decision complies with the requirements of sections 45 to 50 of the Act, as appropriate and relevant to the proposals.
- In making the decision, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has considered and acted in accordance with the six community requirements in section 4 of the Act.
- A copy of this Notification has been sent to the Secretary of State in accordance with section 50(1)(b) of the Act.
- The Schedule to this Notification shall form part of this Notification.
Schedule
Decision by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in response to a proposal by British Telecommunications plc for the removal of public call boxes pursuant to Part 2 of the Schedule to a Direction published by Ofcom on 14 March 2006 (‘the Direction’).
| Telephone number | Address | Decision | Reason(s) |
| 01142468188 | Upper Wortley Road Thorpe Hesley Rotherham S61 2TA | Consent | 1 objection received on heritage grounds; however the kiosk is not a red telephone box within a Conservation Area. |
| 01142872147 | Outside Co Op Main Street Swallownest Sheffield S26 4TZ | Object | Over 52 calls in last 12 months. Consultation responses support retention of payphone to support the community |
| 01142872211 | Nr Yellow Lion Hotel, Worksop Road Aston Sheffield S26 2EB | Object | 72 objections received to the proposed closure and removal. Comments highlighted: It is a red phone box located in a Conservation Area. Symbol of heritage & historic fixture. Necessary for elderly people & use in emergency. Does not attract anti-social behaviour. Could be put to alternative use if phone equipment removed. The Parish Council noted that there is no telephone equipment in the box and also identified a wish to adopt the kiosk for local heritage and use purposes. Notwithstanding the current lack of equipment, in view of the comments above the Council proposes to object to the closure and removal of the payphone. BT would be required to maintain the kiosk for public call use. |
| 01226742234 | Opposite No 36 Occupation Road Harley Rotherham S62 7UQ | Consent | 69 comments received objecting to the proposed closure and removal. However none of the comments received supported the retention of payphone equipment and all referred to use of the kiosk to house a defibrillator. Should the Council utilise its local veto BT would be required to maintain the kiosk for public call use, and it would not be available for alternative uses. Therefore the Council proposes to agree to the proposed closure. BT would remove the kiosk unless adopted by an appropriate group. This will allow the community within Harley the opportunity to adopt the kiosk and adapt it to meet local aspirations. |
| 01709364226 | Near Junction Of Ellis St And Brinsworth Lane Brinsworth Rotherham S60 5DL | Object | Object Over 52 calls in last 12 months |
| 01709365673 | Junction Of Pleasley Road And High Street Whiston Rotherham S60 4HH | Object | Red phone box located in Conservation Area. Whiston Parish Council support an objection to the removal of this phone box. |
| :01709369784 | Junction Brinsworth Lane,1 Brinsworth Road S60 5EL. Brinsworth Rotherham | Consent | No objection was raised. |
| 01709372772 | Junction Renway Rd ,1 Beaconsfield Road Rotherham S60 3HB | Consent | No objection was raised. |
| 01709382008 | Junction Boston Castle Grove ,1 Moorgate Road Rotherham S60 2BQ | Object | Red phone box located in Conservation Area. One response was received in the second consultation supporting phone box closure due traffic hazard issues. However, highways injury collision internal criteria was not triggered, thus this opinion was therefore not supported). |
| 01709522790 | 1 The Parade Thorogate Rawmarsh Rotherham S62 7HX | Object | Over 52 calls in last 12 months (Red Phone box). One response in the final consultation was received objecting to phone box closure. |
| 01709551178 | Junction Robinets Rd, 1 Wingfield Road Rotherham S61 4AQ | Object | Although 1 comment was received supporting removal on grounds of anti-social behaviour, over 52 calls have been in the last 12 months |
| 01709551277 | Junction Oaks Lane,1 Beevers Road Rotherham S61 3BG | Object | Over 52 calls in last 12 months |
| 01709582570 | Junction Victoria St. 1 Springfield Road Kilnhurst Mexborough S64 5SN | Consent | No objection was raised. |
| 01709582698 | Junction Meadow View Rd,1 Highthorn Road Kilnhurst Mexborough S64 5UP | Consent | No objection was raised. |
| 01709583193 | Junction Market Street,1 Rowms Lane Swinton Mexborough S64 8AA | Object | Over 52 calls in last 12 months. One consultation response received objecting to removal. |
| 01709583455 | Junction Queen St,1 Bower Road Swinton Mexborough S64 8NU | Object | Over 52 calls in last 12 months. One consultation response received objecting to removal. |
| 01709700463 | Junction Blackthorn Ave ,1 Sycamore Avenue Wickersley Rotherham S66 2NW | Object | Over 52 calls in last 12 months. One consultation response in the first consultation was received objecting to removal and noting that it is still of community value; ward representatives have opposed the closure of this box previously and continue to support its retention. One consultation response was received in the second consultation supporting phone box closure due to it attracting antisocial behaviour and illegal activity. Overall, however, considering both consultations, a greater response was received in favour of retaining the phone box then closing it. |
| 01709700582 | Junction School Rd, 1 Laughton Road Thurcroft Rotherham S66 9DW | Consent | No objection was raised. |
| 01709700631 | Junction Central Ave, 1 Flanderwell Lane Sunnyside Rotherham S66 3QP | Object | Over 52 calls in last 12 months.One consultation response received objecting to removal, noting that it is within a relatively deprived community, close to the homes of a number of elderly residents. |
| 01709700692 | 1 Woodhouse Green Thurcroft Rotherham S66 9AH | Object | Over 52 calls in last 12 months |
| 01709700823 | 1 Green Arbour Road Thurcroft Rotherham S66 9LA | Object | Over 52 calls in last 12 months |
| 01709812583 | Junction Lansbury Ave,1 Muglet Lane Maltby Rotherham S66 7NB | Object | Over 52 calls in last 12 months |
| 01709812738 | 1 Addison Road Maltby Rotherham S66 8DG | Consent | No objection was raised. |
| 01709872161 | 1 Saville Road Wath-Upon-Dearne Rotherham S63 6RX | Object | One consultation response received supporting closure and removal; however there have been over 52 calls in last 12 months. |
| 01909562128 | 1 Hooton Lane Laughton Sheffield S25 1YG | Object | One objection to phone box closure was received in the second consultation stating that the community relies on the use of public telephone (particularly elderly people). |
| 01909562201 | Outside No 48,1 Laughton Road Dinnington Sheffield S25 2PS | Object | Over 52 calls in last 12 months. One response was received in the second consultation objecting to the phone box closure, as it is important to elderly people. |
| 01909562391 | Nr Junction Doe Quarry Lane,1 Laughton Road Dinnington Sheffield S25 2PP | Object | Over 52 calls in last 12 months. One objection was received in the second consultation objecting to the phone box closure |
| 01909562408 | 1 Oldcotes Road Dinnington Sheffield S25 2QS | Object | One objection was raised in the second consultation stating it was a valuable asset to the local residents. |
| 01909562438 | Nr Church Lane, 1 Monksbridge Road Dinnington Sheffield S25 3QS | Object | One objection was raised in the second consultation stating the community rely on this phone. |
| 01909562815 | 1 Worksop Road Woodsetts Worksop S81 8AW | Consent | No objection was raised. |
| 01909770313 | Junction Union Street, 1 Woodall Lane Harthill Sheffield | Consent | No objection was raised. |
| 01909770316 | Junction Almond Tree Road,1 School Road Wales Sheffield S26 5QG | Consent | No objection was raised. |
| 01909770429 | Junction Kiveton Park, 1 Station Road Kiveton Park Sheffield S26 6QP | Consent | No objection was raised. |