British Telecom has been criticised for its plan to ask schoolchildren to take part in a new competition to cut vandalism at payphones just weeks after announcing it intended to remove 70 kiosks from across the area.

In January, it was confirmed that dozens of phoneboxes would be taken away from South Lakeland and Furness due to a review of their profitability, and the availability of mobile phones.

Objectors criticised BT for lack of consultation and said people without mobile phones would face problems in the event of an emergency.

This week, the timing of a new BT competition, which invites school children to create a poster to warn against the needless damage of payphones, was slammed - particularly as its message is that the lack of a public phone could put a person's life at risk.

Ulverston mayor and town councillor Dave Miller said: "I think it is a bit cheeky because in one breath they are saying you are losing nine phoneboxes in Ulverston, then they are writing to schools saying can you take part in this competition? It is a joke. I cannot believe it."

Coun Miller said the company had begun removing payphones before the council had a chance to comment on which boxes were most needed.

Coun Norman Bishop-Rowe, of Ulverston Council, said: "The competition is a worthwhile cause because it prevents damage to kiosks but it would be nice if we had some phoneboxes left to try to protect!"

The former policeman, who worked in the traffic department, said he was concerned about payphones being removed along the A590, the scene of many serious accidents.

Grange Town Council was among the objectors to BT's proposals. Coun Peter Jackson said BT - instantly recognisable by its advertising slogan It's Good To Talk' - did not apply the principle in practice.

Of the schools competition, Coun Jackson said: "That's one hand not knowing what the other is doing, isn't it? It's a bright idea in one department, not realising there's another department getting rid of phoneboxes. They want to speak to each other a bit more often."

Pauline Vincent, of BT Payphones a standalone company within BT - said the decision to remove phoneboxes was announced in December 2001 to give time for consultation.

She explained the initiative to cut vandalism was aimed at promoting citizenship among children and showing how the company could work in communities.

Mrs Vincent said the company was obliged by the terms of its licence to offer a telephone kiosk in certain isolated areas and that the unprofitable phoneboxes were being removed to protect the business.

She added that an example of BT being respectful of community need was its offer to put on hold any decision about the removal of the payphone at Arnside station, which was earmarked to be taken away until residents objected.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Collins plans to ask the Department of Trade and Industry to look into the decision of getting rid of some payphones.

He said: "Mobile phones are great for those who have them but for many people in South Lakeland, particularly the elderly, the payphone is often the only means of calling a taxi after a trip to the shops or getting in touch with the emergency services while out of the home.

"It is up to ministers to ensure British Telecom does not disenfranchise people without mobile phones in South Lakeland."

February 14, 2003 10:00