PLANS to replace outdated public payphones with modern, multifunctional digital kiosks are underway in Newquay.

BT proposes to erect a street hub at Cliff Road, which includes the removal of four associated payphones.

The street hubs, 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.

Mitle Telecoms, on behalf of BT said: “The InLink UK service was first launched in 2017 and since then 494 InLink structures were rolled out in 23 cities. These units offer 1Gbps free public Wi-Fi, free UK calls, USB charging, an emergency services button and a range of other digital services for those in the vicinity.

“HD displays on the sides are used to carry advertising, which helped to fund the units, but the screens can also show local content free of charge. After the suppliers of the InLinks went into administration in 2019 and are no longer able to supply units to BT, this product is no longer available.

“Since then, BT have been working on a new and improved unit, the BT Street Hub, that they are keen to rollout across Cornwall and all major UK cities.

“Since the rollout of InLinks, there has been increased focus on green initiatives and environmental monitoring. Street Hubs take this into account and can house sensors that count pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle movements as well as monitor air, sound and light.

“This free information will help the planning system actively manage patterns of growth in support of national air quality objectives and the Governments ten-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. It will be a useful source of real- time data in the delivery of the Council’s own green agenda, travel plans and can be used to present a business case for carbon offset credit.

“Overall, Street Hubs will help future-proof the high street making them smarter, safer, and more sustainable. Investment in the high street is at an all-time low, but that has not slowed BT down as they look to ramp up their rollout of new Street Hubs across the UK.

“They are continuing their commitment to invest and improve in the high street, with one Street Hub at a time, and with that, decluttering these environments with the associated removal of existing and redundant BT phone boxes. “

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. They concluded any perceived harm on the existing landscape is not considered to be outweighed by the significant community benefits brought the proposal.

The hi-tech hubs will provide free phone calls. Wi-Fi provision and mobile device charging, including wireless charging and a defibrillator.