Disappearing phone box

This was the phone box between on Shire Way between Woodchester and Blaisdon the other week, after it had been vandalised.

We reported it to BT - and they came and took all the equipment out. We asked when it was going to be replaced, but they said they are going to take the box away and "We told South Glos back in 2006". So that's all right then? (actually it was 2005)

No. Excuse us, but we protested then and BT agreed to leave the box. Now they've been trying to sneak it away without asking again.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel - BT say they've taken it out of the removal programme, and they may consider making it a cashless phone. Um, but that's what WE suggested in 2005, to make it cheaper to run!

These phone boxes are needed as a public service. They don't take much cash now that most people have mobile phones. But not everyone has a mobile, batteries can run flat, people need somewhere to make emergency calls from, children need somewhere to ring Childline from, etc etc.

Look closely and you'll see that the handset is also smashed. We've tried to get BT to use metal handsets instead of plastic - but no, they say "All our boxes and equipment are standard, they are all the same, sorry..."

Don't know about you, but we would rather have a metal handset that works than a plastic one that gets smashed regularly.

Watch this space for further developments. Call us if you've got similar concerns. If you can find a call box, that is.