Pubdate: Sat, 11 Nov 2006
Source: Hampstead And Highgate Express, The (UK)
Copyright: 2006 Archant Regional
Contact:  http://www.hamhigh.co.uk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2597

WORK STOPS ON DEMOLITION SO COUNCILLOR CAN TAKE GLORY

The Long-Awaited Removal of a Hangout for Drug Dealers Has Been Put 
on Hold - So the Council Can Stage a Publicity Stunt.

Tom Nicol and fellow residents had been campaigning for  the removal 
of the phone box, which is used by drug  dealers, outside Highstone 
Mansions in Camden Road, for  more than two years.

But after four days of work to remove it last week,  contractors left 
it behind so Cllr Mike Greene could  stage a photo opportunity while 
he removes it with a  JCB at 11.30am today.

Last Thursday, contractors took the slabs up and  removed the 
concrete base of the phone box but then  replaced it with tarmac.

Mr Nicol (pictured) said: "You don't knock these things  down with 
JCBs usually. A day's work and it would have  been gone. It's cost us 
all money to get the paving  slabs dug up and laid, then dug up and laid again.

"I asked the guy why they hadn't taken it away and he  said, 'There's 
going to be a taking away ceremony.' I  didn't know if he was joking."

A council spokeswoman said the contractors were  assessing how hard 
it would be to remove the 25 boxes  and the process of removing them 
would start today. She  said: "This is a means of letting residents 
know that  this is happening.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Elaine