Delight old telephone box saved after vandals damage vintage kiosk

Delight old telephone box saved after vandals damage vintage kiosk

19 February 2020

A VINTAGE telephone box near the Spa has been saved from the scrapheap.

BT had planned to remove the box located at the junction of Mountview Road and Ballymacarn Road after the latest in a series of vandal attacks.

But, following the intervention of Slieve Croob councillor Alan Lewis, the iconic red telephone box is to stay after BT overturned its decision to ring changes.

The local councillor — who said those responsible for the most recent vandalism incident were “clearly oblivious to the consequences of their actions” — said he is pleased with BT’s change of heart and that the traditional telephone box is to remain in place.

“I was alarmed to discover that the future of the box was under review which could have resulted in its removal,” he explained.

Relieved that the box is to stay is going to stay, Cllr Lewis said that he was able to speak with officials at BT to make the case for its retention. He said the pillar box red phone box is part of local history.

“I am aware of how much this telephone box means to residents who were very disappointed to see it destroyed,” he said. “They were even more disheartened by reports that it may have been local people who damaged it.”

Cllr Lewis said those responsible for continued vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the area need to “wise up and grown up”.

He declared: “Do those engaging in trouble want to look back on their youth and remember the great job they did smashing a local telephone box, wrecking picnic benches and tipping over bins or would you like to contribute to their area?

“It is time for them to get some perspective, grasp reality and stop this childish behaviour. If there is anything that they would like to do or any activity they would like to see funded in the Spa area, meet with me and tell what they would like.”

Cllr Lewis said he is glad that the damaged telephone box has been repaired and is keen for BT’s ‘adopt a kiosk scheme” to be extended to include Northern Ireland.

He added: “I plan to meet with BT on this particular issue to see what can be done and articulate the benefits of the scheme to get on with maintaining these icons of British history. There are very few of these particular telephone boxes left. Let’s empower the local community who wish to look after and maintain such treasures.”