I recently wrote to BT about the phone box on Podsmead Road.

A couple of years ago it was earmarked for removal due to lack of use. This was supported by the police who said they have to deal with a lot of prank or nuisance calls, which they legally have to attend.

There was little response to a consultation on the phone box, suggesting that residents would not miss it greatly.

Then came Covid, and the removal was put on hold while there were other priorities. I have been checking in about the box periodically since then.

Earlier this year the box was vandalised, with the glass being smashed. Although I reported this and got the glass cleared up, it has not been replaced.

The response I have received from BT this week indicates that the phone box is due to be kept and upgraded:

There has been a change of plan with this Payphone. BT is looking to expand and diversify its communication network over the next few years and our payphones will play a key role in this project. We’ve already begun to install equipment inside telephone boxes that makes it easier for people to use mobile telephones and other digital devices while they’re out and about.

We’re looking at other ways of repurposing our public payphones and given its location it’s highly unlikely that the box in question will in the short term feature in any of our removal projects.

I have now arranged for our Payphone engineer to attend to attend to carry out the necessary repairs to bring this box up to standard.

I have mixed feelings about this response as I am just not convinced this box is used by the community. Nonetheless I am willing to keep an open mind and will see if the improvements make a difference to the usage.

Do let me know your thoughts on this phone box by emailing seb4podsmead@gmail.com.