CHATTERBOXES in Kings Langley could be cut off, if BT decided to remove one of their public phone boxes from the area.

The phone box in Coniston Road, at the junction with Hempstead Road, has been identified by the telecoms company as a "low-usage pay phone".

It was also recently damaged in a car accident, and although engineers are set to repair it, the box could be taken away.

A 90-day consultation ends today (Friday) and its future will be decided later this month.

Gary Ansell, chairman of the Kings Langley District Residents' Association, has called for the phone box to be saved.

He said: "One of the most important things is that it is on the main road between Hempstead Road and Coniston Road, which then leads to a couple of schools.

"Lots of schoolkids use call boxes because they do not want to take a mobile to school or they may not be able to use it.

"One of the other things is that, according to the Government, kids who have suffered from abuse would tend to use call boxes.

"There have also been one or two accidents and it's handy to make a 999 call. The nearest box is quite a way away and there are not many houses there."

A representative from BT confirmed the company was looking at the future of the phone box.

BT's Paul Hayward said: "The phone box at Coniston Road and Hempstead Road was damaged in a car accident and we will be looking to repair it as quickly as possible to get it back in working order.

"However, it is a low-usage pay phone and we are looking at the future of it through our standard consultation process.

"We have written to Dacorum Borough Council and a notice is on display telling people where they can write with their objections."

Dacorum Borough Council is orchestrating the consultation and a number of concerns about the loss of the phone box have already been raised.

To comment on the proposals, telephone the council on 01442 228000.