THE MAYOR of Evesham has said he is deeply concerned and disgusted at the state of the town’s Telephone Exchange.
Coun Fred Kaler has hit out at BT, which owns the Abbey Road building, for their lack of maintenance and has called on them to either sort it out themselves, or to get Evesham Town Council to step in.
BT use the building, originally built in the mid-1930s, to house essential equipment which provides telephone and broadband connections to thousands of homes in Evesham.
The outspoken Mayor launched the plea following a number of concerns such as the overgrowing grass, tired window frames, the ‘dangerous’ brick wall at the front of the exchange and the effect the look of the building has on the town centre.
He also urged BT to carry out simple maintenance to the exterior of the 1950s extension which he branded as ‘disgusting.’
Speaking to the Observer, Coun Fred Kaler said: “Along with residents of our community who are passionate about our town’s appearance, I’m very concerned over the Telephone Exchange.
“Walking past the original part of the exchange I am disgusted at the lack of simple maintenance of this building such as painting the windows, and the disgusting appearance of the so called modern attached block which once again is in need of simple maintenance to its exterior.
“Also, the lack of maintaining of the front garden such as cutting the grass- if this is a big problem for BT then they should simply call the Town Clerk and I’m confident the problem of the garden could be solved.
“The brick wall is dangerous, as is the fencing round the land and does not appear to be safe.
“Moving around the back of the building and once again there is a lack of maintenance such as painting, the overall filthiness of the exterior and ground area.”
In response, a spokesperson for BT said: “We carry out routine maintenance on our buildings.
“Various work, including grass cutting, is due to be carried out at the telephone exchange within the next few weeks. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
