Royal Mail’s plans to relocate a postbox in a South Cumbrian town have provoked fury – and has been accused of ignoring residents’ wishes.
The firm sealed up the existing postbox on Broughton-in-Furness’ Princess Street was sealed up when the building stopped being a Post Office.
Royal Mail said its replacement would be on a pedestal on Station Road’s pavement – by the town’s auction mart.
Residents launched a petition against the company’s plan. They said the planned postbox would be in the place where HGVs and trailers manoeuvre and park up.
A spokesman said “The postbox would be difficult to access safely during auction times, especially for those with restricted mobility or vision and for anyone with pushchairs and young children.”
They would like the postbox to be installed on the Square, outside the tourist information office. Residents say it makes more sense because a community post office is due to open there soon.
When approached by Cumbria Crack, Royal Mail said it was aware of people’s concerns and would take them into account. We asked why Station Road had been chosen but they did not answer our question directly.
Instead, a spokesman said: “There’s a number of reasons that will be considered. These include accessibility for the postman or woman, whether it’s on public and not private land, and as they go quite deep, whether there’s any electricals or water piping that needs to be considered.”
We asked if safety was a factor, they said it was.
Concerns have been raised with Royal Mail about the postbox location by Duddon Parish Council, High Furness councillor Matt Brereton and Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham.
The Royal Mail spokesman added: “We are aware of the concerns raised about the proposed location of the new postbox in Broughton. We will certainly take these into account and will be responding directly to the MP.”
