Royal Mail told it’s ‘making a mistake’ after removing Plymouth post box pensioners rely on

The Royal Mail has been told it is “making a mistake” in removing a post box an MP says elderly people in St Budeaux rely on.

The post box at the junction of Mollison Road and Roman Way was taken away after the land owner requested it be moved off their land. However rather than move it to the nearby pavement, it has been removed entirely.

Fred Thomas, MP Plymouth Moor View, said he has been contacted by angry and concerned residents to see if there was anything that he could do to reverse the decision.

However he was told that there are two other post boxes within half a mile of Mollison Road and as a result, the decision had been taken not to replace it.

Royal Mail is required to ensure 98% of homes are within half a mile of a post box as a minimum – but Mr Thomas says this doesn’t take into account the difficulties faced by elderly people in walking to other post boxes.

He said direct routes to the alternatives cited by Royal Mail involve steep hills or flights of steps.

In a letter to Royal Mail, the MP said alternative post boxes are simply not accessible to many residents. He has now launched a petition on the issue and urged bosses to reconsider the “misguided” decision.

Mr Thomas said: “I really feel that Royal Mail are making a mistake with this decision. It is misguided and fails to take into account the geography and topography of the area – it feels like a decision taken by someone in head office who has never actually been to St Budeaux.

“I have been contacted by dozens of residents who are really concerned at losing this post box, particularly elderly residents who simply can’t manage the walk to the next nearest ones – Royal Mail need to reconsider this decision.

“I would encourage anyone to sign the petition and really show the strength of feeling that people have about this decision. Even if it doesn’t affect you, just think about the impact that removals of post boxes may have on elderly, disabled and vulnerable people across the city.”

What does the Royal Mail say?

In response to the MP’s concerns the Royal Mail said it was “obliged” to remove post boxes that are on private land, when requested to do so.

A letter to Mr Thomas from Senior Public Affairs Manager Michael Hogg, seen by Plymouth Live, said: “A review of the provision in the area took place. As previously mentioned, Royal Mail must ensure that 98 per cent of all households across the UK should be within half a mile of a postbox.

“I have been advised there is a postbox [on] Victoria Road which is approximately 200m away, and another postbox on Peters Park Lane which is approximately 300m away.”

It added: “Having taken into account all relevant factors, including the number of postboxes in the area, within half a mile, and the balance of economy against service provision, the decision has been taken not to replace the postbox.”

In a letter in response, Mr Thomas said he was “very disappointed” and had been contacted by even more residents who he said were “deeply concerned”.

He added: “I would urge Royal Mail to reconsider this misguided decision”.

The petition can be signed here.