Plans to install 80 phone boxes in landmark locations across central London have been criticised.

Westminster City Council attacked the proposal to install the booths, which will be without wi-fi or internet connectivity, in iconic locations such as Oxford Street, Victoria Street and Baker Street .

The local authority say it will create “ugly advertising hoardings” on some of the city’s most famous roads, and that there is little demand for them or benefit to the public

Baker Street, the famous home of fictional sleuth Sherlock Holmes

The council is now lobbying the government for a change in the law to prevent the new boxes being built after receiving applications for prior approval from telecom company Maximus Networks Ltd.

Each box in the plans submitted would provide 1.3 metres by 2 metres of advertising space and a notice of prior approval leaves councils limited power to prevent the scheme going ahead.

The proposed phone boxes won't look like your traditional red London booths

Adverts can be displayed on new phone boxes without local authority consent and Westminster is seeking further powers from government to prevent advertising clutter.

Cllr Daniel Astaire, cabinet member for for planning and public realm at the council, said: “We think this scheme will create ugly advertising hoardings on some of our most iconic streets.

Shoppers in Oxford Street

“Maximus is using the popularity of our city for its own gain.

"Frankly, it’s totally unacceptable and we will do everything in our power to prevent the phones being installed.

“This proposal might have been acceptable in the 1950s but very few people use traditional phone boxes now and the installation of 80 more will serve no community purpose in twenty-first century Westminster.”

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