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The post-box, in Salary Close, has been barricaded in due to work being carried out by Cadent.
The work means the box is inaccessible to residents looking to post their mail, with the next nearest box almost a quarter of a mile away.
It comes in the run-up to the festive season, with people wanting to send their Christmas cards.
“With more mail being sent in the Christmas period, it will become more of a problem.
“Cadent said they had authority from Essex Highways, and I have spoken to Royal Mail about putting in a temporary box.
“There are a lot of elderly people that live on Salary Close so a solution needs to be found and it feels like residents have been totally disregarded.”
A spokesman for Cadent said: “We have a responsibility to make sure every property that uses gas has access to it 24/7, 365 days a year.
“This gas mains replacement programme in Salary Close, Colchester, is to install tough new pipes which will last for decades, future-proofing the local network and keeping thousands of homes warm, meaning that we continue to deliver on that promise.
“During the planning process of these works, we contacted Royal Mail to explain that their post-box would be inaccessible due to the nature of the work taking place.
“Royal Mail took steps to make the post box inactive, and we understand that no collections have been made during our works.
“We appreciate that this is an inconvenience, particularly with Christmas on the way and residents wanting to send festive post, but there are several alternative post-boxes in the area which are still having regular collections.
“We would like to thank residents in the area for their patience throughout these essential works and would also like to remind everyone that if you smell gas, please act immediately and call the gas emergency service on 0800 111 999.
“Please do not assume it is related to these works. It may not be and needs to be checked out.”
