COUNCILLORS have opposed plans to replace outdated public payphones in Newquay with modern, multifunctional digital kiosks.

Newquay Town Council’s planning committee has objected to BT’s planning application to erect a street hub at Cliff Road, which includes the removal of four associated payphones, over concerns whether the scheme would be fully integrated into the wider plans for the location.

The street hub, which have already been rolled out in parts of the country, offer free ultrafast wifi, free phone calls, emergency service access, rapid device charging, public information and wayfinding, environmental monitoring and 4G/5G boosting capability.

The BT Street Hub project aims to modernise street infrastructure, reduce street clutter by replacing larger, older phone boxes, and support the creation of "smart cities". BT partners with Global, a media and entertainment group, for the advertising aspects of the project, which fully funds the deployment and maintenance of the hubs at no cost to the taxpayer or local authorities.

Newquay Town Council’s planning committee stated: “Having been recently consulted on the Mid Cornwall Metro and proposed improvements for Cliff Road and station area, councillors agreed the installation of this Street Hub had to be fully integrated into the wider plans for this location and asked whether any joined-up working had taken place.

“Further queries were raised about the loss of the existing ATM and how this may impact the surrounding high street.”

Cornwall Council is due to have the final say on the plans.

BT has also submitted a planning application to erect a street hub and remove a payphone outside the post office in East Street.

The plans follow technology firm Urban Innovation Company receiving planning permission to erect 12 two-sided Pulse Smart Hubs at locations including Berry Road, Bank Street, Chester Road, Central Square, Cliff Road, Fore Street, Henver Road, Headland Road, Narrowcliff, Pentire Road, Treloggan Road and Wiliam Hosking Road.

Cornwall Council planners decided the proposal is” acceptable” despite acknowledging the kiosks would have a visual impact on the existing streetscape.”