Dartford residents' lives a misery following removal of post

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Dartford residents' lives a misery following removal of postbox, which stood on corner of road for 50 years

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/11845 ... _50_years/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A postbox which stood on the corner of a Dartford road for well over 50 years was suddenly removed, causing misery for local residents and leading to a petition to replace it.

The postbox, on the corner of Brent Lane and Brentlands Drive, was removed two years ago, with the nearest alternative postboxes situated in The Brent and in Darenth Road.

However these locations require a considerable walk up and down hill, making it difficult for the many elderly local residents - including those living in nearby retirement apartments - to cope.

Councillor Rosanna Currans, who lives in Brent Lane, told News Shopper: "I was elected to represent the people of Brent ward last November and while I was going around canvassing people would ask me 'Can you get our post box back?'

"I approached the Royal Mail to see whether they were prepared to either reinstate the postbox in its original location or erect it in another position close by.

"Their response was not encouraging to say the least.

"They maintain they have a statutory obligation to meet as regards the siting of postboxes and that this obligation is still being satisfied.

"This bean-counting attitude is just not good enough and takes no account of the views and convenience of customers.

"The cost of posting a letter is quite significant these days and I would have thought the Royal Mail would be far more interested in encouraging the use of the post rather than driving people towards alternative methods of communication."

Coun Currens, who says the post box was removed to aid the sale of the property which it is outside, is now petitioning for the post box to be put back, and has got 230 signatures.

She said many local residents are over 65, including a few in their 80s, while the oldest is 93.

She added: "There are families in the area as well - with children - who say it is an inconvenience.

"It is very important to this community - they will find it very helpful.

"It will improve things for them a lot."


Royal Mail spokesperson Sally Hopkins said: "This postbox was removed as the property on which it stood was sold and we are obliged to remove boxes on private property if requested to do so by the property owner.

"With effect from June 13 2013, as part of our regulatory conditions, we must ensure that 98 per cent of all households across the UK should be within half a mile of a post box.

"The postal regulator Ofcom considers that we currently meet these requirements."

[TrueBlueTerrier]

A misery - really.

Inconvenient, perhaps, PITA - Yes - but a misery

[Lounge Lizard]

She said many local residents are over 65, including a few in their 80s, while the oldest is 93.
She added: "There are families in the area as well - with children.
So Dartford is just like every other town in the country.

[Surreypostie]

The person selling the house is probably elated. Maybe the sale will fall through now as the postbox is gone. After all, the person moving their doesn't want to live in misery.