Stockton’s plan to modernise streets with BT’s smart hubs sparks local debate

Stockton Council considers replacing obsolete phone boxes with innovative Street Hubs offering free WiFi, charging points, and smart city features, amidst mixed community and council reactions across the UK.

Stockton Council is currently considering plans submitted by BT to replace two ageing phone boxes on Oxbridge Lane and Yarm Lane with modernised “Street Hubs.” According to BT’s agent, Telent Technology Services, these hubs would provide a range of enhanced urban services including ultra-fast, encrypted public WiFi powered by renewable, carbon-free energy, free phone calls, phone charging points, and a tablet interface. The hubs also include “sound cloud” speaker systems and can incorporate sensors to monitor air quality and traffic, adding a smart city dimension to the traditional street furniture.

BT portrays these hubs as accessible and free community assets designed to upgrade local infrastructure without additional costs to taxpayers. The “state-of-the-art” units feature HD screens on both sides that display advertising alongside council and community content, which dims at night. Revenue from sponsorship would fund ongoing maintenance, including regular cleaning and 24-hour monitoring. The proposal also highlights the potential to “declutter” streets by replacing the older, bulkier phone boxes with slimmer hubs that improve the streetscape.

The company contends that the Street Hubs address contemporary connectivity needs by offering faster, more reliable internet access and integrating emergency services communication capabilities. BT claims over 950 units are already live across the UK, serving as part of a broader strategy to modernise city infrastructure, bridge the digital divide, and reduce street clutter, while promoting sustainability and safety.

Stockton’s application notes that the existing phone boxes are considered “run-down” and that the new hubs would improve community communications by delivering social, economic, and environmental benefits. These benefits include future-proofing the high street through smarter, safer, and more adaptable urban technology.

While Stockton moves forward with this plan, other local authorities have had mixed reactions to similar BT Street Hub proposals. In East Herts, for example, the council refused a hub in Bishop’s Stortford due to concerns about fostering anti-social behaviour and drug-related offences, following police advice. The presence of extensive 4G coverage and free WiFi in the area also led the council to question the necessity of the hub.

Similarly, Warrington Borough Council declined permission for four Street Hubs, citing worries over increased anti-social activities in areas already troubled by such issues, as well as objections to the hubs’ impact on local visual amenity. In contrast, Eastbourne Borough Council is currently considering a proposal for one such hub aimed at replacing underused payphone kiosks while also offering advertising opportunities and emergency messaging.

Experiences elsewhere reveal a tension between the hubs’ potential to enhance digital infrastructure and concerns about their integration into historic or sensitive urban settings. For instance, BCP Council rejected most of a set of proposed hubs in Christchurch High Street, finding them visually incongruous and unsympathetic to the local high street character, allowing just one where existing street furniture minimised the visual impact. In Brighton, a related digital advertising and WiFi hub project succeeded on appeal over initial council objections about pedestrian safety and area character, though the council retains some control over the ultimate licensing.

These varied responses illustrate the balance local authorities seek to strike between embracing technological upgrades that can combat the digital divide and improve urban environments, against managing community safety, local aesthetics, and social concerns. Stockton’s proposed Street Hubs join this wider national conversation about the future of public connectivity and urban design.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no evidence of prior publication. The earliest known publication date of similar content is March 27, 2024, when BT and Global announced a 10-year partnership to upgrade the UK’s street furniture. ([lbbonline.com](https://lbbonline.com/news/bt-and-global-announce-10-year-digital-partnership-to-upgrade-uks-street-furniture?utm_source=openai)) This earlier announcement does not specifically mention Stockton, indicating that the current report is a new development. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative includes updated data about Stockton’s consideration of the Street Hubs, justifying a higher freshness score.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
No direct quotes were identified in the provided text. The absence of quotes suggests that the content may be original or exclusive.

Source reliability

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, The Gazette, a local news outlet in the UK. This adds credibility to the report.

Plausability check

Score:
9

Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and align with BT’s previous initiatives to modernise street furniture across the UK. The report provides specific details about the proposed Street Hubs in Stockton, including their features and potential benefits. The tone and language used are consistent with typical corporate communications, and the structure is focused on the main claim without excessive or off-topic detail.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is original and timely, with no evidence of recycled content. It is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. The absence of direct quotes suggests potential originality or exclusivity. The source is reputable, and the claims made are plausible and consistent with BT’s previous initiatives. The tone and structure are appropriate, with no signs of disinformation.