TWENTY-SIX phone boxes including six of the iconic red K6 design could be for the chop in York.

BT have confirmed they are consulting on the future of 26 payphones around the city, from rural areas like Hessay and Rufforth to city locations like Holgate and Acomb.

There are 116 payphones across the York council area, and a BT spokeswoman said they look at factors like how often phones are used and how good the mobile phone signal is in the area before deciding which ones can go.

She added: “BT is committed to providing a public payphone service, but with usage declining by over 90 per cent in the last decade, we’ve continued to review and remove payphones which are no longer needed.

“Any removal of payphones is carried out in strict adherence to Ofcom guidelines and, where appropriate, with the consent of local authorities. In all instances where there’s no other payphone within 400 metres, we’ll ask for consent from the local authority to remove the payphone. Where we receive objections from the local authority, we won’t remove the payphone.”

In 2008, BT wanted to cut 24 phoneboxes, but City of York Council said many were still used or were valued historic assets for communities. The council said it was too soon to say whether it would object again.

York Press:

The K6 was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935, and was the first model to be installed nationwide.

The “Adopt a Kiosk” scheme means communities can take on a traditional red phonebox for £1. Some now house defibrillators, a book exchange, and visitor information centres.

The payphones earmarked for removal in York are at the locations below. 

  • Junction of Beckfield Lane and Fellbrook Avenue
  • Near 147 Beckfield Lane
  • Near 11 Viking Road
  • Near Mill Cottage, Mill Lane, Acaster Malbis
  • Near Wains House Wains Grove, Dringhouses
  • Outside the cemetery, Fordlands Road, Fulford
  • Outside The Black Horse, Wigginton
  • High Grange, Moor Lane, Haxby
  • Near 1 The Village Haxby
  • Opposite 125 - 127 Bad Bargain Lane, Tang Hall
  • Whitby Avenue, Heworth
  • Near 150 Holgate Road
  • Junction of Osbaldwick Lane and Tang Hall Lane
  • Junction of Brecks Lane and New Lane, Huntington
  • Near 43 North Moor Road
  • Near 159 Mount Vale
  • Junction Of Bishopthorpe Road and Balmoral Terrace
  • Opposite Station House, Common Road, Dunnington
  • Junction of James Nicolson Link and Kettlestring Lane
  • Near 99 Main Street, Askham Bryan
  • Near Old Joiners Cottage, Main Street, Askham Richard
  • Near The Willows, Wetherby Road, Rufforth
  • Near Pippin Barn, Main Street, Hessay
  • Outside The Fox, The Village, Stockton On The Forest
  • Opposite Acomb Wood Shopping Centre, Acomb Wood Drive
  • Outside the Telephone Exchange, York Road, Deighton

The six K6 boxes are at Holgate Road, Wigginton, Dunnington, Stockton on the Forest, Hessay and Rufforth.