Conservationists urge telecoms companies to give boxes artistic makeover

Highgate conservationists have called on telecom companies to rethink their “dreadful” broadband boxes and use the space as a canvas for budding artists.

After one of the large green boxes was placed near the Highgate Society’s headquarters in South Grove, members successfully campaigned to have it removed.

However, residents have now asked BT officials to bring broadband back to the area at a meeting last week – as long as the boxes are spruced up and their appearance improved.

Michael Hammerson, of the Highgate Society, pointed to projects in France and America where art has allowed the boxes to blend in with their natural environment.

He said of BT: “They could do their public image some good by sponsoring a competition for design students to come up with a range of ideas for boxes which would fit in in the area.”

The society now awaits a response from BT.