The red telephone box on Margate’s Stone Pier – also known as the Harbour Arm – has been removed after complaints of it being vandalised and used for rubbish dumping.
The payphone was taken away yesterday (January 16). BT no longer owned the box. Its upkeep was being looked after by Margate Charter Trustees.
A Thanet council spokesperson said: “We received complaints about the poor condition of the telephone box on the Harbour Arm. It had been graffitied and had rubbish dumped inside.
“We investigated the complaints and those responsible for the upkeep of the telephone box were contacted and given the option to improve its appearance, by removing the graffiti and rubbish. They chose the alternative option which was to remove it from the Harbour Arm.
“The Harbour Arm is Grade II listed and within the Margate Conservation area and by removing the telephone box, the harm to the amenity of the area has been resolved.”
Margate Charter Trustees said they were asked by Thanet council to remove the phonebox after complaints that people were using it as a toilet.
