Save our phone boxes!
VILLAGERS in Nidderdale are rallying together to save a relic of British tradition - the old red phone box.
Two booths, in Middlesmoor and Wath, are destined for destruction by British Telecom (BT) as they are underused and make a loss.
But villagers have said that the bright red boxes are a "symbol" of British life, and it would be a shame to lose them.
Middlesmoor resident and Nidderdale Herald columnist Jan Robinson said: "It's a focal point of the village.
"Our red phone box is something that is always there, we might take it for granted but we don't want to lose it.
"It makes the village picturesque, a red phone box, it is something characterful on our doorstep.
"BT should be proud that people want to retain them. They created something years ago, and it has become a trademark of British culture."
Upper Nidderdale parish councillor Ian Walker said: "It's a shame that BT are withdrawing their support from our small Yorkshire Dales village.
“The public phone box is not only an important part of the heritage of the village, but also a potential life saver in an area of limited mobile phone coverage."
Stan Beer, who represents Pateley Bridge at Harrogate Borough Council, said: "Middlesmoor phone box still has the potential to be used by the community, so although it is a commercial decision by BT, all we can do is protest!
"The box is very British in what it stands for, and although not used very much, it is a much loved focal point and if removed would be sadly missed."
Harrogate Borough Council has written to BT in objection to the proposals.
Coun Don Mackenzie, cabinet member for planning and transport, said they were objecting to the loss of the phone box on heritage grounds, and also because it provided a vital link with other villages in a very remote area.
"In this particular case, mobile phone coverage is poor, and often the weather conditions are very bad," he said.
"In emergencies it is good to have a public land line."
The villagers are faced with three options for the future of their phone box. These are; to see it towed away, to pay a parish contribution of 300 per box, or to call on the parish council to adopt the boxes at 1 each, thus taking over responsibility.
A public meeting was held by the parish council to try and determine residents' views, and a questionnaire has been put through post boxes in both villages. Residents have until the end of February to comment on the plans.
Mrs Robinson said: "Different ideas are being bandied about to try and keep it, such as turning it into a collection point for post of outlying farms, or advertising the area for tourists, working to clean it up and paint it.
“Perhaps putting the history of the village inside it, so people can read all about it - somebody even suggested getting a greenhouse and growing tomatoes inside it.
"I can understand that it isn't commercially viable, but it would be such a shame to lose it.”
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Weather for Harrogate
Thursday 24 May 2012
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