Anyone that knows me with be fully aware of my obsession with the iconic red telephone box. So, it won’t come as a surprise that I actively campaign to save our telephones whenever BT wants to remove another piece of our heritage. This week it has come to my attention that two working telephone boxes in my local area are “under consultation” to have their telephones removed.  While the future of these two red boxes is assured, both having listed building status, the end seems to be ticking closer for a working telephone in these call boxes.  That is unless enough people make representation to the relevant authorities before May 23rd, 2025.  I am therefore reaching out to anyone and everyone to make representation.

Reasons to Keep the Telephones

In 2017 BT wanted to remove many Dartmoor phone boxes on the grounds of lack of use. The removal at the time was blocked due to the poor mobile phone coverage on Dartmoor.  This in conjunction with the large numbers of tourists visiting the area, it was felt the need for public payphones for use is emergencies was imperative. The situation with mobile phone coverage on Dartmoor, has improved a little during the intervening years.  It has however not improved significantly and is very susceptible to the often-poor weather conditions on the moor.  It is my opinion therefore that the original grounds for maintaining these telephone boxes in working order remains valid.

Disappearing Telephone Boxes

In 2019, Dartmoor had 46 telephone boxes with working telephones.  By 2024 this number had dropped to just 33 with working telephones.  These remaining units need to be maintained, they are just a fraction of the number that there used to be.  My research and subsequent documentary project recorded 72 telephone boxes on Dartmoor. Not including the many that had already been spirited away by BT before I began my work to save these icons of 20th century design.

If you are able to email the bourough council, details below, I would greatly appreciate the support to help keep these telephones working for a few more years.

Rundlestone Telephone Box

Email to: development.management@swdevon.gov.uk
Copy to: clerk@dartmoorforestpc.net
Email Subject Line: WDBC Princetown Phone Box Consultation Reponse

 

Merrivale Telephone Box

Email to: development.management@swdevon.gov.uk
Copy to: clerk@plasterdownparishcouncil.gov.uk
Email Subject Line: WDBC Merrivale Phone Box Consultation Reponse

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