Postbox to be reinstalled in Plymouth community after campaign against ‘act of vandalism’

A community campaign to reverse an “act of vandalism” and bring back a postbox to a Plymouth neighbourhood has been hailed a success. The removal of Stoke village’s post box provoked anger but residents, councillor Jemima Laing and Plymouth MP Luke Pollard petitioned for its return.

The group has claimed victory and says Royal Mail has agreed to return the post box, which was removed by a kebab shop owner. Residents argued that in a community where not everyone has access to the internet, a postbox is vital to the area.

A petition signed by hundreds of residents was taken and presented to Parliament in July 2021 and Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, added his support to the calls. Mr Pollard says Royal Mail has confirmed to him and Plymouth City Council that the post box will be reinstated.

Read more: Disused Plymouth depot to be turned into care centre

The reinstalling process is set to take 14-16 weeks and the new location is yet to be determined. Mr Pollard has promised he will continue to fight for Plymouth’s community facilities “big or small.” He and Stoke councillors Jemima Laing, Sally Cresswell, and Tom Briars-Delve have been putting pressure on Royal Mail to reinstall a post box and took the case to Plymouth City Council’s planning committee last month.

Mr Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: “Stoke village should never have lost its post box, and I’m delighted we now have written confirmation we are getting a new post box. It has taken a year of campaigning in Westminster and Plymouth, but that work has paid off. As a proud Janner I will never let our community be worse off and will fight to protect our community facilities big or small.

“This is a big win for teamwork, for Stoke village, and for the hundreds of people who have signed the petition calling for its return. We did it.”

Jemima Laing, Councillor for Stoke Ward, said: “I am so pleased that this community facility is going to be reinstated. I know how much it means to people and businesses in Stoke village. Luke, the councillors, the businesses and residents have all worked together on this to get to this point.

“I can’t wait to see the post box back in the village in the coming months.”

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We will be installing a new postbox in Stoke Village.”

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