BT are proposing to remove 35 phone boxes from the area, including ones in Colwyn Bay, Rhos on Sea, Deganwy, Glan Conwy, Conwy town and Llandudno Junction, stating they no longer cover their costs.

But the move has been met with stern opposition by Assembly Members who see the closures as being damaging to local communities.

Following a meeting organised with BT, Conservative member Darren Miller AM was shocked to learn that the availability of mobile phone signal was not being taken into account when deciding which phone boxes should be removed.

He said: "I accept that some phone boxes in mainly urban areas which are already well served by other boxes is going to happen. But removing phone boxes in rural areas where there is no alternative telephone access for members of the public is immoral - especially when you consider that phone boxes provide vital and speedy access to emergency services when they are needed.
"BT must halt these plans until it has established that mobile phone signals in these areas are reliable and that safety for locals and visitors is not compromised. The closure of phone boxes will lead to yet a further erosion of community facilities in rural Wales."

Plaid Cymru has also spoken out against the move, and have started an online petition to help rally support.

Plaid member Llyr Huws Gruffydd commented: "This decision will be a major inconvenience to a lot of people in Conwy and could even be dangerous. Only this month Ofcom Wales have been pointing out how unreliable mobile phone networks are in rural Wales but at the same time they are allowing BT to remove 35 phone boxes from Conwy alone."

BT cites the increase in mobile phone ownership as a major factor in payphone use halving in the last three years.

With the consultation period still open, Conwy County Borough Council are inviting individuals and organisations to write in with their objections to the closures.

Letters should be addressed to:

Ian Stevens
Planning Officer
Planning Services Department
Conwy County Borough Council
Civic Offices
Colwyn Bay
LL29 8AR

The deadline is July 31.

Phone boxes to close:

Llangwm, Corwen LL21 0RN - 01490 420378
Ty Nant, Corwen LL21 0PR - 01490 460212
Maerdy, Corwen LL21 0NR - 01490 460220
Opposite Tai Mawr, Maerdy, Corwen LL21 0PF - 01490 460223
Chweffordd Crossroads, Bryn y Maen, Colwyn Bay LL28 5EP - 01492 530599
Dinerth Road, Rhos on Sea, Colwyn Bay LL28 4YG - 01492 544621
Glanwydden, Llandudno Junction LL31 9JS - 01492 549649
Maes Hyfryd, Glan Conwy, Colwyn Bay LL28 5NF - 01492 580236
Vardre Park, Deganwy, Conwy LL31 9YN - 01492 581254
Opposite Post Office, Groesffordd, Conwy LL32 8SQ - 01492 592374
Llechwedd, Conwy LL32 8LJ - 01492 593295
Nant Bwlch yr Haiarn, Trefriw LL27 0JB - 01492 640253
Bryn Glass Crossroads, Maenan, Llanrwst LL26 0UY - 01492 640280
Melin y Coed, Llanrwst LL26 0SW - 01492 640387
Tynddol, Llanrwst LL26 0TU - 01492 640464
Llanrwst LL26 0NS - 01492 640565
Llanddoged P O, Llanddoged, Llanrwst LL26 0BJ - 01492 640634
Holland Arms crossroads, Trofarth, Abergele LL22 8BG - 01492 650307
Henefail, Tyn y Groes, Conwy LL32 8SR - 01492 650393
Llanbedr y Cennin P O, llanbedr y Cennin, Conwy LL32 8JB - 01492 660512
Council Estate, Betws yn Rhos, Abergele LL22 8AW - 01492 680211
Opposite Telephone Exchange, Dolwen, Abergele LL22 8NP - 01492 680607
Nebo, Llanrwst LL26 0TB - 01690 710402
Bylchau, Denbigh LL16 5LS - 01745 550359
Bylchau, Denbigh LL16 5SW - 01745 550472
Pandy Tudur, Llanrwst LL22 8UL - 01745 860211
Tan y Fron, Bylchau, Denbigh LL16 5LY - 01745 870220
Llansannan, Denbigh LL16 5NG - 01745 870232
Groesffordd, Llanbedr y Cennin P O, Conwy LL32 8UW - 01492 660516

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