Is this a cock–up?

The public realm around South End Green fountain was, almost completely, cleared of unsightly barriers and other "roadworks" paraphernalia at the end of last week.

The area returned to its near normal state after over a week of excavations and the lethargic stop-and-start "to-ings" and "fro-ings" of several guys in luminescent yellow-green jackets.

Gone are the unsightly red and black plastic barriers belonging to McNicholas (working for EDF Power), the other familiar trappings of "roadworks" and the electricians working on the strings of lights that illuminate the trees on the Green at night.

Thankfully, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott's two iconic K2 telephone kiosks were resplendent once again in their pride of place on the "Green".

But hang on a second, something is not quite right!

What is that galvanised metal casing in front of the door to the Kiosk nearest the slip road? (see bright blue arrow in Photo 1).

Photo 1:  Giles Gilbert Scott's K2 Telephone Kiosk Arrow points to metal "casing" in front of Kiosk door

Now look at Photo 2 taken at right angles to the view in Photo 1. It shows the metal casing obstructing the door of the kiosk, preventing it being opened more than about 250 mm (or 10 inches in old money).

Photo 2: View looking behind metal casing in Photo: 1 above. Inset shows folding ruler between metal casing and Kiosk door.

What is it? Is it a device that would enable users of the Kiosk to become space-time travellers?

JA thinks that it is part of a fun film set for "slappy happy" mobile telephone movie makers to improvise with.

AP thinks that it carries a message and is part of an anti-obesity campaign by EDF, McNicholas and Camden or, perhaps, a substitute for Christmas Lights this year.

RG thinks that it is associated with the covert traffic camera in Pond Street whilst SR suggests that it is a "bug" or tracking device deployed to keep tabs on ASBO and/or CDZ defaulters.

Having considered the situation carefully I think this has all the signs of being a "cock-up" and is, probably, another manifestation of lower national educational standards.

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