Four rare 1960’s phone boxes on the London Underground have been listed in recognition of their architectural and historic interest.
The K8 model phone boxes are situated on platforms at High Street Kensington, Chalfont and Latimer, Chorleywood, and Northwick Park tube stations.
The K8 was designed in 1965-66 by architect Bruce Martin who was commissioned by the General Post Office, which owned the public telephone network.
They have been listed at Grade II by DCMS on the advice of Historic England.
Most of the remaining K8s are in Hull, nine of which were listed earlier this yaer.
Similarly, the tube station phone boxes have survived as they were owned by London Underground and housed an internal telephone system for station staff. Each of the boxes are painted in different colours, as a way of denoting this private use.
There are only around 50 remaining in their original position with most of them removed by British Telecom following its privatisation in 1984.
“There are very few designs that can be genuinely termed as ‘iconic’ but the K8 is certainly one of them,” said Tom Foxall, Regional Director for Historic England in London and the South East.
“Like its predecessors, this kiosk was a defining feature of 20th century Britain’s physical, technological and cultural landscape. Very few K8s survive, so they certainly need to be cherished and protected.”
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, Arts and Heritage Minister, said the telephone box “is now rare to see in our public spaces.
“I am delighted these remaining examples have been listed so that their design can continue to be admired and enjoyed for years to come.”
