Fleur Anderson Claims Victory in Phone Box Battle

Says BT has agreed to move booths outside TK Maxx to enable bus layby

Fleur Anderson standing by the phone boxes

December 12, 2025

Putney High Street’s long- running phone box saga is finally moving forward. Fleur Anderson MP says she has secured BT’s agreement to remove the two phone booths outside TK Maxx.

She had been campaigning for the move as one of the phone boxes was no longer working and their location meant that it was impossible to install a much needed bus layby.

The two kiosks have been gathering graffiti and rubbish for years, but their presence has also blocked Transport for London (TfL) and Wandsworth Council’s plans to ease congestion by installing a bus layby. The layby would allow buses to pull in rather than sit in the main carriageway, helping traffic flow more freely towards Putney Bridge.

The MP’s campaign gained momentum after she posted a video on social media highlighting the problem, which went viral with more than 750,000 views. BT has now agreed to act, though the MP is pressing for firm dates. “Putney deserves better and we need to get the buses moving down the High Street,” she said. “Removing these eyesores is a small but vital step, along with others identified by my Putney Bus Task Force. I’m pleased BT is on board – now we need a clear timeline to get the job done.”

Under national rules, phone boxes cannot simply be removed at a council’s request. BT, which owns the kiosks, must apply for planning permission to remove or relocate them, and local authorities are required to consult residents before granting approval. In some cases, boxes are retained for heritage reasons or converted into community uses such as defibrillator stations or micro‑libraries. This has meant that even derelict or little‑used kiosks can remain in place for years, frustrating councils trying to redesign busy streets. Neither of the boxes is a heritage style red box.

Congestion on Putney High Street has been a longstanding concern. The road is a major bus corridor and one of London’s worst air pollution hotspots, with traffic frequently backing up towards Putney Bridge. Ms Anderson’s Bus Task Force has already helped drive changes to traffic light phasing, reinstated the bus stop at the Green Man pub, and moved another stop on Lower Richmond Road. The removal of the phone boxes is seen as another small but significant step towards improving flow and reducing delays.

BT has been invited to a site meeting with council officers to agree a timetable, and Ms Anderson has promised to keep residents updated.