Royal Mail refuses to replace Hanley postbox

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ROYAL Mail is refusing to replace a postbox removed from a Stoke-on-Trent street for health and safety reasons – because it keeps getting knocked over by lorries.

The company has taken away the pillar box from St John Street, in Hanley, after being called out numerous times to put it back up.


The postbox was struck by lorries reversing into a neighbouring street.

But families living in the area have been stunned by the decision.
Now residents are having to walk to neighbouring streets to post their letters.

Hanley One Residents' Association chairman Paul Breeze, of St John Street, said: "There was a pillar box halfway down the street but it kept getting knocked over when the lorries went up and down.

"Royal Mail had to keep sending people out to put it back up.

"It's happened about three times in the last few years so now they've decided to take it away for good because of safety issues. It's quite inconvenient really."

Resident Sam Shaheen, aged 28, of St John Street, said: "We have had this postbox for years so I don't understand why it is a problem to replace it now.

"I have lived here for 26 years and I have always known the postbox to be on the corner.

"The postbox was quite well used by the local residents and it is an inconvenience to have to walk to Garth Street to post our letters.

"I know a lot of us would like it to be replaced."

Neighbour Joan Pavlak added: "There are some factories in nearby Mayer Street and the lorries delivering goods there often reverse back out onto the street.

"But their visibility is restricted and the lorries ended up knocking over the postbox.

"Last time, the postbox was ripped out of the ground.

"I have lived here for 50 years and I've known the box has been knocked over at least five times. Maybe it would be better to put it somewhere else where it won't get damaged."

Royal Mail today said it had removed the postbox because of health and safety concerns regarding its employees and people posting letters.

Royal Mail spokesman Val Bodden said: "The postbox on the corner of Lower Mayer Street and St John Street, Hanley, was removed following a road traffic accident.

"Due to the risk its positioning represents to members of staff and our customers and the availability of nearby alternative postboxes, a decision has been made not to replace this box. The nearest boxes are at Town Road, Keelings Road and Huntbach Street."