Anna Wright by a BT phone hub in Blackstock Road

PLANS to install two new pavement phone boxes have been met with a backlash from locals who say the ones that already exist are a magnet for drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour.

Communications giant BT has already placed dozens of kiosks across the borough in the past decade.

The LinkUK kiosks provide free phone calls and wifi. On both sides they have illuminated LCD screens which are used for advertising.

Locals have spent years expressing their distaste for the three-metre-tall “obscenities”. In 2019, then community safety chief Andy Hull said the boxes were “being used for criminal purposes”.

Jigna Modha, who lives next to a kiosk in Blackstock Road, said: “We have sent numerous emails to the council about homeless people setting up there, the BT hub getting smashed, drug use and syringes and needles scattered everywhere.”

Litter dumped by a kiosk

She added: “I appreciate the intention but unfortunately what they do attract is this type of nuisance which makes it quite unsafe and it’s not a nice thing right outside your building. I’ve never used them and you can charge your phone on them, but whatever the benefits are, the disadvantages are much greater.”

Ms Modha called on the council to “actively seek and act on feedback from local residents”.

She told the Tribune: “What need are they trying to service? Where is that data from? Unless you’ve got that, you’re doing a lot more damage to these areas than benefits. They should be a bit more thoughtful about these things.”

Anna Wright, who also lives in Blackstock Road, said: “I’ve first-hand witnessed people calling a number and making incoherent calls – people under the influence, either alcohol or drugs, just yelling at the phone box. Our argument is that it was a nice idea in principle, but the reality is is that it’s being misused.”

She added: “It’s not an attractive thing to look at when it’s right outside the door. For the size of the structure versus the size of the ads, I do find it quite surprising. But the main thing is that it’s really less attractive when it’s by BT, with a brand on its side, and there’s someone smashing it up, setting up camp, or yelling into the phone. The whole package together makes it an eyesore.”

Benali Hamdache, leader of the Greens in the Town Hall, described the kiosks as “a waste of energy, a waste of street space and a waste of money”.

He added: “These massive electronic obscenities are street junk and should be consigned to history. We’re still living with the legacy of former Labour Cabinet member Claudia Webbe welcoming them to the borough. It’s time the council took a strong stance against these BT nuisance hubs.”

A BT spokesperson said: “Our modern street hub units provide free ultra-fast wifi and calls, plus lightning-fast device charging to keep communities connected. There’s also a dedicated 999 button for emergencies.

“It’s disheartening to hear some people are misusing these units and we urge anyone who witnesses criminal activity to report it to the police.

“While crime and anti-social behaviour are police matters, we are committed to working closely with the authorities and local communities to help where we can.”

A council spokesperson said: “We are firmly committed to making sure that any new infrastructure in the borough, including BT street hub screens, does not negatively impact our residents and communities. We are continuously reviewing these sites to ensure that they are benefiting the council and the communities and residents we serve. Wherever possible, we also require the removal of defunct BT phone boxes when new hubs are proposed, to reduce street clutter and improve our neighbourhoods.”