Activists in Burnham-On-Sea Petition for Street Hubs to Replace Phone Kiosks
Local campaigners in Burnham-On-Sea are urging BT to maintain publicly accessible communication facilities. The call comes as BT consults on removing one of the final remaining payphones in the town, located on the Esplanade opposite Sea View Road. This follows the recent removal of the phone kiosk on Princess Street.
A spokesperson for the Burnham & Highbridge Liberal Democrats said:
“The Lib Dem Team in Burnham & Highbridge are petitioning BT to replace the phone kiosks with BT Street Hubs instead of just removing them and leaving nothing, which is their current plan.”
BT Street Hubs offer a suite of modern communication tools, including:
- Free Ultra-Fast Wi-Fi
- 4G/5G signal (without the need for a mast)
- Fast charging for mobile devices
- Free phone call services, including a direct 999 emergency button that transmits exact location data to emergency services
- Access to council and community services
- Digital advertising to fund maintenance and operations
“A means of communication is not just convenient — it can be life-saving,” said one activist.
“Having a means of communication is vital in an emergency or when assistance is needed — whether by residents, tourists, homeless individuals, or survivors fleeing domestic or sexual abuse. We cannot leave our most vulnerable behind.”
The campaign, led by Lesley Millard, Barbara Vickers, Sharon Perry, Ross Baker, Mike Murphy, Ganesh Gudka and Laura Chalmers, is petitioning both BT and the Minister of State for Data Protection and Telecoms to ensure that outdated phone boxes are upgraded, not abandoned — providing essential connectivity for the community wherever and whenever needed.
Residents, visitors, and supporters can sign the petition here:
👉 https://www.bhblibdems.org.uk/street-hubs