A FIFE councillor has expressed his “astonishment and anger” over a BT decision to scrap payphones and introduce many cashless telephone boxes, some of them in his own wide rural area.

East Neuk Tory member Mike Scott-Hayward, in response to a letter just sent to Fife Council about 40 public telephones, accused BT of making the move “when the cat is away” just before council elections, and after the dissolution of the Scottish parliament.

The letter from BT project liaison officer Rick Thomson states that regulation changes mean that there is no longer a requirement for BT to provide cash payment in up to 30% of public payphones.

As a result, said Mr Thomson, there had been a review in Fife and at the chosen sites costs of maintaining a cash facility exceeds revenue either because of vandalism, or just because customers do not make enough calls.

“By changing the phone mechanism we would remove a significant proportion of the costs we are incurring, whilst at the same time retaining a service,” he said.

“I hope you will agree that merely losing the ability to pay for a telephone call is preferable to BT having to recover the kiosk altogether.

“In effect, a cashless telephone is an alternative to total removal,” Mr Thomson added.

He said that in every other respect the public telephone service would be the same, and calls relating to BT chargecard, credit/debit cards, prepaid calling cards, operator calls, 999 emergency calls and freefone calls would still be allowed.

“BT welcomes the OFCOM decision to relax the requirement to ensure cash payment at every kiosk, as it helps us to save on the cost of maintaining expensive public telephones, and enables us to safeguard the future of the remaining payphone estate nationwide.

“Work to convert the payphones will commence soon, and there will be minimal disruption to service.”

Mr Scott-Hayward said yesterday that he had replied to express his anger, and to point out that he is even less impressed with the implied threat that the alternative would be the loss of the call box.

He noted the relaxation of the obligation on BT, but asked what local public consultation has taken place at a time when the government espouses community engagement.

“I do not commend you, either, for announcing these changes just as councils are about to go into a state of purdah for the forthcoming elections—this smacks of playing while the cat’s away.

“In Scotland you have craftily chosen to do this after the dissolution of the Scottish Parliament.

“Did you have the nod from ministers on this,” Mr Scott-Hayward asked in his letter.

“Have you no duty of care or any thought for the elderly resident of a rural village, someone who may not have plastic money or BT account?

“I see you aim to disadvantage several rural communities in my ward and that in which I intend to contest on May 3—Radernie, Peat Inn, Dunino, Boarhills, Arncroach, Easter Pitcorthie, and New Gilston.”

Mr Scott-Hayward said that he wanted a full explanation, a halt to implementation of the plans, and consultation with consumers after the May elections.