Plans have been submitted to remove some of the phone kiosks around Stockport town centre, to be replaced by 'street hubs'. 

The plans have been submitted by BT, who describe the proposed street hubs as a "re-invented phone box for the digital age". 

The street hubs would feature two screens on either side (which could show advertisements and public notices), as well as free 'Ultrafast' encrypted WiFi. 

Whilst the hubs could also be used to make free calls, the units themselves do not have handsets. 

However, there is a button to call 999 directly in the event of an emergency nearby. 

The proposed street locations for the new hubs are as follows: 

• 4-6 Mersey Square
• 33 Warren Street
• 60-62 Prince's Street
• 48 Wellington Road South 
• Outside Mansion House
• 329 Buxton Road South

Eight existing kiosks in or around these locations would be removed to make way for the new hubs, which BT says would "assist in achieving the advancement and decluttering of the council's streetscapes". 

A BT graphic showing the changing design of phone kiosks (Image via planning document)

BT has already introduced around 950 street hubs across the UK. They are described as "a sleek, modern answer to the demands of a digitally connected, converged-media society."

The planning application argues that the new hubs would be a 'significant improvement' compared to existing payphone kiosks.

The hubs would be monitored with weekly inspections. 

A decision is due on the plans in March.

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