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. Over the past few weeks it has come to my attention that four working telephone boxes in my local area are under threat. Two of those boxes are under threat of complete removal, the other two are listed buildings which are at risk of losing their telephones.  BT are carrying out a consultation to get local feedback on the proposals.

The demise of public pay phones began with the mass uptake of mobile phones, they are however a piece of our heritage and still offer a lifeline to those in remote areas where mobile phone signals a poor to non-existant.  We are in danger of losing four more of these lifelines 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.

Below are some of my arguments for keeping these telephones along with details of the specific telephones at risk and who to write to.

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.

In addition to this telephone boxes (and copper landlines) have their own power supplies independant of the electricity network.  They therefore still work and you can make calls during a power cut.  This is something many people can no longer do from home with the switch over to digital telephony systems reliant on power.

While public call boxes may no longer get regular usage they should be held onto for as long as possible, you never know when one may be the lifeline someone needs to use one for a medical emergency or for someone escaping a domestic abuse situation.

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 borough council, details below, I would greatly appreciate the support to help keep these telephones working for a few more years.

Rundlestone Telephone Box

This telephone box is listed so will remain in place even if the telephone is removed, I would still urge you to email to save this working telephone.

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

 

Merrivale Telephone Box

This telephone box is listed so will remain in place even if the telephone is removed, I would still urge you to email to save this working telephone.  Note – this telephone was out of order the last time I visited, I have reported the fault to BT who have acknowledged the fault.

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

Peter Tavy Telephone Box

This telephone box is at risk of being lost completely.

Email to: development.management@swdevon.gov.uk
Copy to: petertavypc@hotmail.co.uk
Email Subject Line: WDBC Peter Tavy Phone Box Removal Reponse

Sampford Spiney Telephone Box

This telephone box is at risk of being lost completely.

Email to: development.management@swdevon.gov.uk
Copy to: clerk@plasterdownparishcouncil.gov.uk
Email Subject Line: WDBC Sampford Spiney Phone Box Removal Reponse

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