AN automated new phone system is to be introduced for people ringing Tewkesbury Borough Council.
From Tuesday, callers to its base in Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury, will be asked to choose one of four options - benefits, council tax and business rates, housing and planning.
If they do not want those departments, they will have to wait to speak to a customer services member.
The council insists the new set-up, which follows it recently having replaced its previous phone system with one called a Voice over Internet Protocol, will be better for everyone.
Councillor Audrey Ricks (LD, Churchdown St John's) is the authority's lead member for organisational development.
She said: "Introducing auto-attendant on to our new phone system will help to ensure as many callers as possible are connected directly with the service they need first time.
"This will save time for both the caller and the council, which is great news. We appreciate that there may be times when a caller wants to speak to a customer services advisor, and that option is still available with this new set up."