Highland Council urges public to respond to BT consultation on proposed removal of 13 phone boxes across Caithness
A public consultation has been launched on proposals to remove 110 public payphones across the Highland region — including several located in Caithness communities.
Telecommunications giant BT announced today that the phones have been assessed under Ofcom’s Review of the Telephony Universal Service Obligation and have been deemed no longer essential.
Among 13 boxes earmarked for removal in Caithness are the kiosk by the post office in Berriedale, another adjacent to South Strome House and a box situated outside the post office at Skerray.
Kiosks in Lybster, Dunnet and Scrabster Harbour are also lined up for removal, along with boxes near Pennyland Service Station, Sir John’s Square and Park Avenue in Thurso.
A further four phone boxes in the Wick area are facing removal.
A full list of the payphones proposed for removal can be found here, with BT inviting public representations until the consultation closes on July 15, 2025.
Highland Council is now urging residents to submit comments highlighting the potential impact the closures could have.
For rural communities in Caithness, a local telephone box can provide a vital link in emergencies, particularly during periods of severe weather when mobile networks can fail.
Submissions can be made directly to BT by emailing btp.authorisation.team@bt.com.
Following the close of the consultation, BT has committed to taking account of the representations made before reaching a final decision.
Their conclusions, along with justifications for any closures, will be published on their website at www.bt.com/payphones/service.