Royal Mail is removing the traditional postbox at the top of Gudge Heath Lane and replacing it with a solar-powered digital machine that allows the posting of small parcels while side-stepping the use of the actual Post Office - which it is directly outside of.

Associated revenues will go directly to Royal Mail and nothing will go to the Post Office. We do not want to risk losing our local Post Office and so are petitioning to keep our beloved, traditional postbox and to stop it from being replaced with a digital / solar version.

Replacing the traditional postbox in this way could significantly impact the viability of our Post Office and local shops, and leave no coverage of Post Office services in the surrounding area. Although we are not against progress and appreciate the needs of customers to post out of hours, redirecting the Post Office’s income in such a way could be irreversibly detrimental. Digital Post Boxes may be better situated where there is currently no local Post Office nearby.

According to the Federation of Small Businesses, local Post Offices provide indispensable services and community value. By keeping our traditional postbox, we reinforce the position of our Post Office as a vital part of our busy community. Therefore, we urge Royal Mail to reconsider this decision and allow us to retain our traditional and much-loved postbox.

Please sign this petition to protect our postbox and the viability of our Post Office. Thank you so much! Please share far and wide.