LIVES could be at risk if plans to close a BT payphone kiosk at the Point car park in Teignmouth go through, according to boatmen and the town council.

Unless there is a change of heart by the telecommunications giant, the call box will close on December 17 after a 42-day consultation period.

The company said that its payphone service was not subsidised, and that public demand for payphones had dropped by 50 per cent in three years.

A survey showed that the traditional-style red kiosk near the lifeboat station did not cover its costs through the calls made, and there was an alternative local payphone nearby in Northumberland Place.

But Greg Allen, assistant mechanic and former helmsman of the Teignmouth lifeboat, said that the proposal had to be fought on safety grounds.

'The kiosk has a commanding view over the dangerous section of Teignmouth sand bar,' he said. 'If any vessel, swimmer or canoeist were in trouble in this area, the red kiosk is easily visible for any member of the public to raise the alarm, and even to direct the lifeboat and coastguard to the casualty.'

Mr Allen said that lives had been lost on the bar. Only last week a family with children aboard a small craft was almost swamped by waves there, until the lifeboat rescued them.

'Not everybody carries a mobile phone, and this kiosk is vital for sea safety,' he said. 'At the very least, if BT is intent on removing the payphone, the kiosk must be retained and equipped with a dedicated 999 emergency telephone.'

Fisherman Steve Prock agreed with Mr Allen about the perils of relying on mobile phones in an emergency.

'Most people own a mobile phone, but they don't always work or have it with them,' he said. 'If we keep the kiosk and save one life a year, it's worth it. It could be the difference between life and death.'

At a recent meeting of Teignmouth Town Council, councillors voiced their strong objections to the proposed closure.

In a letter to BT, town clerk David Tickell said that the kiosk – located between the river beach and the main beach, and next to large car parks – was in a key position for a maritime emergency.

'My council trusts that while you no doubt have figures which prove an uneconomic viability for this payphone that you will exercise your discretion in the interest of public safety and convenience,' he said.

Members of the public are asked to contact Teignmouth Town Council (Bitton House, Teignmouth TQ14 9DF, tel 01626 775030) with their views, or Teignbridge Council's planning department (Forde House, Newton Abbot TQ12 4XX, tel 01626 361101), because the red kiosk is in a conservation area.

Yesterday BT said that as a result of the concerns it would leave the kiosk in service for the time being.