Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Call to replace ‘ugly’ telephone box in West End
CALLS have been made for an “ugly” telephone box to be removed from the West End of Dundee.
The state of the BT box, located in Perth Road near Miller’s Wynd car park, came under fire at a community council meeting.
A working group is looking at ways of making a raft of improvements to the shopping district.
The group has proposed replacing the booth with a traditional red phone box or removing it entirely — both ideas supported by the community council.
BT, however, said the phone is still used “regularly”, with a spokesman adding: “We have no plans to consult on the removal of the payphone on Perth Road.
“The payphone is still used regularly and we continue to maintain it.”
Business owner Karen Morton, 49, of Tartan Cafe House, said she would like to see it removed.
She added: “I’ve certainly never seen anyone using it. I’m surprised to hear they are saying it is still used regularly.
“In t he past it has been vandalised and become a bit of a dumping ground for posters and rubbish.
“We’ve had customers and residents commenting on the state of it when they’ve walked past.”
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Fraser Macpherson said: “I know BT has taken the decision to remove a number of phone boxes in recent years, including traditional red boxes.
“If they are advising it is still being used in some capacity, it would certainly be better to replace this ugly monstrosity.”