Screens to replace phone boxes in Reading
Seven are being replaced with Smart Hubs
Phone boxes in Reading town centre are set to be replaced with modern service screens called ‘Smart Hubs’.
A total of seven phone boxes will be replaced with the Smart Hubs by BT.
The hubs provide free calls and charging, public Wifi, 5G and a tablet for communication.
The hubs will replace four phone boxes in Broad Street, and one each in West Street, St Mary’s Butts and Friar Street.
The project can go ahead after Reading Borough Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the works.
However, there were concerns that glare from the screens could hamper CCTV images Thames Valley Police use to identify offenders.
Furthermore, Cllr Josh Williams (Green, Park) raised a concern about accessibility.
Cllr Wiliams asked: “Where on these monoliths is the bit you interact with?
“I think there will be phone and a digital screen on the side. Is that placed at a height that is suitable for wheelchair users?”
A council officer reassured him that interactive parts of the hub would be at waist level.
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