Anger is mounting in the small Shropshire village of Bentlawnt as residents remain without a post box, months after its sudden removal, with Royal Mail failing to respond to repeated pleas for its return.
The essential village service was removed from its position outside the old shop without any community consultation. Despite persistent lobbying, local residents and politicians say they have been completely ignored by the postal giant.
Local Shropshire Councillor, Heather Kidd, expressed her dismay, particularly as the busy Christmas season approaches.
“We are now in the Christmas season with many, especially the elderly, rely on the Royal Mail to send their Christmas cards and yet we have been ignored by them,” Councillor Kidd stated.
The Councillor has challenged Royal Mail on the removal, receiving conflicting explanations. Initially, Royal Mail claimed a homeowner requested the removal (a claim labelled as untrue), before later blaming the telecommunications company, Openreach.
Councillor Kidd raised serious concerns that Royal Mail feels it has the authority to remove vital rural infrastructure without consequence.
“What worries me is that the now privatised Royal Mail now think they have carte blanche to remove these boxes. This is particularly vexing in rural areas like ours where boxes are few and far between,” she said.
She added that the decision was seemingly made by a “national strategy team” whom she doubts “have much idea about our communities.”
The removal has left villagers with virtually no accessible place to post their mail.
One concerned resident highlighted the drastic alternatives: “The nearest box to Bentlawnt is outside Stapeley Vets, but it is unusable as it is infested with mice, which eat the letters. Nobody, including the vets, uses it.”
This leaves the nearest functioning box over half a mile away in Hemford – a significant and difficult journey for the village’s older residents.
Councillor Kidd confirmed she will continue to challenge Royal Mail’s strategy team and is prepared to escalate the matter to the regulator, Ofcom, if necessary.
“Rural communities matter,” she concluded.