Campaigning villagers urge locals to boycott new post boxes

The letter box at the Dobcross Village Store and Post Office before it was changed recently

Campaigning Saddleworth villagers say a new digital post box system is “flawed” and should be boycotted.

Several weeks ago, Cllr Garth Harkness alerted communities after writing to Royal Mail about concerns over the changes to post boxes in Dobcross, Delph and Diggle.

He alerted the communities they were to turn into digital post boxes so small parcels can be left in them.

He said revenues from the new digital post boxes will go direct to Royal Mail and nothing will go to the post boxes.

And he warned: "These changes could significantly impact the viability of the post offices and shops and leave no coverage of post offices in the area.

“This will impact residents who rely on the services they provide.

"For larger items, support with forms and collections etc, residents will then need to travel elsewhere.

"It is clear that some residents would struggle with a new digital drop off point.”

Now, with the launch of the boxes, community champions Alison Broadbent in Delph and Janet Iles in Diggle are alerting locals to problems surrounding boxes themselves and warn of issues surrounding the boxes which could damage trade at the tradition post boxes which create an intimate village hub for communities.

MP Debbie Abraham said: "I appreciate the frustration being felt by residents about these changes and share the concerns about the potential impact on the revenues of the village Post Offices.

"I will of course take up these concerns with Royal Mail and urge residents to support their local businesses."

Speaking on behalf of Dobcross Village Store, Nathan Beckwith and Suzanne Wright said: "While we are not against progress and appreciate the needs of customers to post out of hours, as a community coop we depend on the income stream from packages and parcels.

“In addition our box is in a charming village conservation area and reactions in the community have been mixed.”

Currently, villagers are already boycotting the new boxes saying they want to be served by the existing friendly real people and ensure the post office owners don’t lose out financially.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.