Earl's Court ‘Tardis’ might be moved due to 'street urination'

The much-loved ‘Tardis’ outside Earl’s Court Underground station may have to be moved due to “street urination.” Plans would see the box moved out of its “cramped” location to a better spot to “enhance its setting.”

Earl’s Court’s police box is a much-loved feature of the area. Located on Earl’s Court Road, the box is frequently photographed by tourists visiting London.

However, plans by Kensington and Chelsea Council would see this piece moved from its current location to the corner of Hogarth Road. The proposal, part of the draft plan for revitalising Earl’s Court, cites “street urination”, occurring in between the spaces of the lamppost and kiosk which the police box sits between, as a key motive for the change.

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The plan says: “[The phone box’s] current location is squeezed in between the lampposts, the kiosk and the busy main road and street urination occurs in the spaces between. It is a very cramped setting.

“It is proposed to move it to the corner of Hogarth Road to make it more prominent and enhance its setting, while still keeping it close to the heart of Earl’s Court.”

The feasibility of this potential move is being explored with the Metropolitan Police Service and Places for London/ Transport for London, the plan says. Any move would take place after the completion of the Hogarth Road streetscape project, it adds.

Installed in 1996, the Earl’s Court police box was brought to the area by local police officer John Hodges. This was funded by contributions from local businesses and London Underground.

Police boxes were used by officers to make calls and to take meal breaks in whilst on the beat. Landlines were also not common to see in homes until the second half of the 20th century, so the public was also allowed to use the police boxes to report a crime or fire.

The box had a direct line to Kensington Police Station, although this has now been disconnected. A plaque on the door tells the public that the box now stands in memory of PC Hodges who died in 2022, aged 81.

Residents have the opportunity to give their feedback on the draft local action plan for the Earl’s Court revitalisation. They have until November 18 to give their opinion and can do so online .

Got a story? Please get in touch at katherine.gray@reachplc.com

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