Residents of Minchinhampton gathered on Monday to protest about the loss of a key local post box. The Dr Brown’s Road post box is believed to have been knocked over by a horse in late 2021. Royal Mail removed it shortly afterwards and have not reinstated it, carrying out none of the required consultation with the community and local councils for a permanent removal.
The group of residents was joined by Minchinhampton’s county councillor, Cllr Chloe Turner, who said: “This well-used post box is very much missed by our community, especially by the many older and less mobile residents who cannot easily reach alternative facilities elsewhere in the parish.
“Royal Mail have so far ignored our letters of complaint, taking no account of their own deadlines for response, so we will have to seek help from our MP and the Ombudsman.
Cllr Turner said that other communities have been similarly affected, both locally and across Stroud District. Boxes have been removed and not replaced in Woodchester, Butterow, Waterley Bottom and Stinchcombe.
She added: “We call on Royal Mail to do the right thing by isolated rural communities such as ours and – at a minimum – consult with residents about local need before considering the removal of these vital community facilities.”
Cllr Catherine Braun said she has also had difficulty getting information from Royal Mail about missing post boxes in her ward of Wotton-under-Edge.
One box, in Oldhill Lane, Stinchcombe, was not replaced despite a campaign by the community. “This was very disappointing,” said Cllr Braun. “Stinchcombe residents now have to walk along busy main roads to get to alternative post boxes – and many choose to drive instead, which increases pollution and traffic volumes.”
Pictured: Chloe (third from right) with the residents at their protest meeting.