The restoration of a number of red telephone boxes in Valletta is to be carried out to safeguard their protection status. They were granted Grade 2 protection status back in 2001.

The original use of red for telephone boxes was intended to help users find the facility with more ease.

These structures which are as iconically British as London’s black cabs were designed by Sir Gilbert Scott to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the coronation of King George V in 1935.

The Planning Authority said that it has granted permission for works to be carried out on these structures, which owing to the spread of mobile phones, have fallen into decline.

There are 11 telephone kiosks to be restored, with a mix of Mk1 and Mk2 Type 6B and are mostly found in Republic and Merchant Street.

The Authority said that the design of these telephone kiosks was part of a Special Concession scheme to celebrate the Silver Jubilee through which each village or city in the Empire that had a Post Office would receive a subsidised telephone kiosk.

Although the King died in January 1936 the scheme went ahead and the ‘Jubilee Concession’ allowed many towns and villages in the UK and the Empire to apply for the telephone kiosk.

The pre WW2 design – Mark 1, was manufactured between 1936 and 1952. These are identified from the Imperial Tudor State Crown on the roof section.

When Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne, she chose a new rendition of the crown and therefore the MK2 was introduced with the new crown rendition. The Mk 2 was in production from 1952 up to 1968.

Then there is the type 6B kiosks – with the door fitted opposite the back panel and hinged on the right. The kiosk frame is constructed from a cast with glass panes and solid teak door frame with a cast iron grid insert.

The eleven structures will be transported to a manufacturing workshop so that all restoration works are carried out in a protected environment.

The Planning Authority explained that the work will be carried out in accordance to an approved restoration method statement and monitored by the Planning Authority’s conservation officers. The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has endorsed the restoration method statement.

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