Red Phone Boxes

[Salu]

A debate on the radio this lunchtime....

Should we get rid of them? Are they outdated or a historical icon? Should they be trimmed down in number as we a lot of us have mobile phones now? Aren’t they just portaloos now? Wouldn’t they make better showers in trendy bathrooms? Or are they a statement of Britishness etc?

These were some of the points put forward. What do you think?

Originally Posted by Salu

Should we get rid of them?

Why? What's so wrong with them that we need to get rid? As it is there's so few left, hardly anyone would notice.

Originally Posted by Salu

Are they outdated or a historical icon?

As a design goes, it's pretty timeless. OK, in cast metal they're a bit heavy etc. but other than that they're still perfectly functional. And yes, they're iconic.

Originally Posted by Salu

Should they be trimmed down in number as we a lot of us have mobile phones now?

That is going to happen anyway. I read something the other day that said that a regulation had been changed that would allow BT to remove a phone box if there was another one within x-100 metres. That distance was drastically increased and will ensure that the number of public phones will decrease.

Originally Posted by Salu

Aren’t they just portaloos now?

It is an unfortunate fact that they always were and probably always will be. But that's mainly because there is little in the way of public loos anywhere.

Originally Posted by Salu

Wouldn’t they make better showers in trendy bathrooms?

If I could get one that's what I'd do.

Originally Posted by Salu

Or are they a statement of Britishness etc?

Utterly, but since there is no such thing as a British culture I'm sure no-one will miss them, eventually.

These were some of the points put forward. What do you think?[/quote]

[handyman]

Not used one in years, they are normally filthy anyway

[bopdude]

Originally Posted by handyman

Not used one in years, they are normally filthy anyway

Haven't seen one in years, never mind used one

Seen a realy old red one a few weeks ago in a village near Newark in Nottinghamshire, it had all it's windows to.

[Halcyon]

Definately keeep them.
They are part of what makes england what it is.
They need to stay.

[Tuftus]

I say keep them too, where they are still in one peice that is...

[Rob]

This is one use for them: http://www.london-footprints.co.uk/Photos/phleaning.jpg

[marky]

Sadly we dont have them in Bolton anymore, we have the plate glass things that get smashed all the time

[Angua]

We still have a couple next to the Town Hall which are listed.


Pretty well used too as they are next to the main Bus stop

[luftys]

they make good toilets