Petition to address post box return

FIGHTING on . . . Councillor Martin Dinoff outside the site where the post box once stood

A COUNCILLOR has vowed to fight on to reinstate a post box in Abbeyhills which was scrapped without notice.

Royal Mail chiefs delivered a major blow to residents last month when they removed the only post box on Abbeyhills Road.

But now angry locals have enlisted the support of Alexandra ward councillor Martin Dinoff, who has launched a petition in a bid to get it back.

The removal of the box has affected about 750 householders — some elderly and disabled — who now face long walks to post mail.

Councillor Dinoff said: “I will fight on to get the post box back and will get a petition sent off to the secretary of state.

“The box, outside 329 Abbeyhills Road, was well used by local people who now have to walk up a steep hill, on a busy road, to Warren Lane to post their letters. Some have to trek up to a mile.

“This will obviously cause considerable hardship to the old and disabled. It shows a lack of thought.”

Councillor Dinoff said he e-mailed a complaint to Royal Mail but failed to get a response. However, he added, when one resident asked a post master to ask if the post box would be relocated she was told the closed post office on Abbey Hills Road had been converted to a house and the occupant did not want a post box outside her door.

“This is fair enough,” added Councillor Dinoff, “but it can be located near the array of shops down the road.

“There are three post boxes on Park Road and Abbeyhills Road.

“One by the entrance of Alexandra Park, another at the top of Park Road at the Glodwick Road junction, the last at Warren Lane. Actions like this are so short-sighted.”

A spokesman for the Royal Mail said: “The box will not be replaced as we are satisfied there are sufficient alternatives.”

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