LTN residents’ postboxes boarded up as new traffic rules mean postmen cannot meet collection times

Postboxes in Oxfordshire were boarded up after congestion caused by road closures to create low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) meant postmen could no longer meet collection times.

Royal Mail was forced to reduce services in Cowley and East Oxford after traffic was funnelled onto main roads making journey times markedly longer.

A number of boxes were sealed with a message that read: “It has become necessary to temporarily remove this postbox from service due to not being able to meet the final collection time as a result of the LTN scheme.”

Oxfordshire County Council introduced three LTNs within the Cowley area in 2021 as part of the so-called “green transport revolution” introduced by Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, to try to promote cycling and walking.

However, the schemes have proven controversial, with critics claiming they increase congestion and pollution on boundary and main roads where traffic has been diverted.