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Monday January 12th 2026
Paxton, Scottish Borders
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A Borders councillor is seeking answers over the removal of a vital village post box.
Councillor James Anderson, who represents East Berwickshire as an independent, is writing to Royal Mail over the missing post box in Paxton.
It was used regularly by many locals, particularly older people who relied on it as a vital way of sending letters, bills, and important documents.
Mr Anderson says that for many in the community, travelling to larger towns to access postal services is not easy due to limited public transport, mobility issues and the cost of travel.
That means that a local post box is “not a convenience but a necessity”.
Mr Anderson said: “Paxton is a small village, but it has a significant number of older residents who value their independence and depend on local services to remain connected to family, friends, and essential services.
“Removing the post box risks isolating some of the most vulnerable members of our community and places an unfair burden on those who are least able to travel.
“I would ask Royal Mail to explain the reasons for this decision, including what consultation was carried out locally, and what consideration was given to the needs of older and less mobile residents.
“I would also urge you to reconsider the removal or, at the very least, explore alternative arrangements that ensure Paxton continues to have reasonable access to postal services.
“Reliable, accessible postal provision is a basic public service, especially in rural communities such as ours. I hope Royal Mail will recognise the importance of this issue and work with the community to find a fair and practical solution.”
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