Wallingford residents' rage at post office removing postbox for health and safety reasons (From Herald Series)

Wallingford residents' rage at post office removing postbox for health and safety reasons

11:14am Tuesday 7th July 2009

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FAMILIES are fuming after a postbox in their street was suddenly sealed up for ‘health and safety’ reasons after more than 30 years.

Royal Mail closed the postbox in Station Road last month because it feared its drivers could cause an obstruction to the fire station and zebra crossing nearby.

But neighbours are mystified it has now been classified a risk after at least 30 years in position.

Oxfordshire County Council confirmed the fire station was 85 years old and the zebra crossing installed almost six years ago.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “The decision to remove the box was taken on health and safety grounds.

“Since the beginning of this year, a very small number of boxes have been removed, either for health and safety reasons, as in this case, or because they are on private land and we have been asked to remove them by the landowner.

“The location of the box in Wallingford adjacent to the fire station and a pelican crossing means that our drivers aren’t able to stop safely to collect without causing an obstruction.”

The spokesman added: “Thankfully, we are not aware of any incidents at the crossing and we are taking this action to ensure this continues.”

Other postboxes are situated in Fir Tree Avenue, Croft Road and Castle Street.

Town councillor Betty Atkins said: “This is health and safety gone mad. We have managed with the postbox there for quite a few years. I’ve been here for 33 years and it has always been there.

“I just get the feeling that this is the thin end of the wedge and others might go. It’s a difficult area for the drivers, but they normally pull in and have no problems at all. They are away quite quickly, I don’t see what the problem is.”

Margaret Brown, 76, of Station Road, said: “It’s a nuisance. I wouldn’t be surprised if they started closing more, like they are doing with all these post offices. It’s probably the start of something that’s going to happen. The health and safety is an excuse to get rid of it. There is plenty of room for the driver to park.”

Pam Gray, 33, of Station Road, said: “I have complained to Royal Mail about it. I’m really annoyed because it’s so useful for us.”

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