Turning back time for police box

An historic police box discovered on wasteland in Dudley is to be rescued from demolition and restored to its former glory.

The decades-old hut in Lister Road, once a vital HQ for beat bobbies, looks set to be taken on by a Glasgow-based charity willing to spend up to £10,000 bringing it back to life.

The Civil Defence and Emergency Service Preservation Trust is dedicated to looking after the UK’s Cold War and emergency services heritage. It has already restored 14 old police boxes around the UK.

And the charity is excited about helping to restore the old station found in Dudley.

Representatives have now been given the green light by Dudley Council to come up with a proposal for the mini station.

Dudley Council spokesman Vikki Marshall said: “The Civil Defence Trust has approached Dudley Council in regards to the police box, which was recently found on land off Lister Road.

“Council officers have met representatives from the trust to put forward and agree a mutually acceptable proposal to keep the police box on site.

“Dudley Council is now waiting for a written response from the trust to confirm their proposals in relation to the long-term future of the site.” Trust spokesman Ward Westwater said: “We would spend about £10,000 putting in new windows and restoring concrete work and generally bringing it back to life.

“We have restored some of the tardis-style police boxes and had them taken to museums but we want this one to stay where it is in Dudley and be a part of the street scene there.

“What we don’t want is for it to be lost as it is a piece of a history and should be treasured as such.”

The trust will now have to come up with detailed proposals on how the work will be done before coming back to the council with plans.

Police boxes were once a familar sight on every street corner.