Councillor challenges village post box issues

The letter box at the Dobcross Village Store and Post Office

Councillor Garth Harkness has joined Dobcross villagers' concerns, underlining his "disappointment" to hear issues surrounding the post box this week.

The existing historic post box has been sealed without warning while alterations take place to accommodate a new digital system.

Now the councillor says: "I have written to Royal Mail to express these concerns and would urge others to do so too.

“I understand in a few weeks the post box will be turned into a digital post box where any revenue from this would now go direct to Royal Mail and take this away from the community shop.  

“Dobcross, like many villages, has had difficulties keeping open their post office.

"It is a community led scheme which provides an excellent service and the only shop in the village.

"The proposed changes will significantly impact the community shop and could impact the viability of the Post Office and the shop.  

“It is extremely disappointing that the community have not been asked if they want this.

"From what I have heard from this week it seems clear that residents do not want the changes to the post boxes and that they would prefer to keep using the shop and post office for this service. 

“This post box lies in a conservation area and therefore any changes have an impact on the conservation area.

"Royal Mail should carry out a consultation process.”

He added: "I have asked Royal Mail to reconsider and maintain the status quo.

"There have been suggestions of changes to other post boxes and I have also asked Royal Mail for details of this and to ask residents.”

Have your say by logging onto: https://help.royalmail.com/s/complaints

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