Shailesh Vara MP is continuing his fight to save the Botolph Green post box which is situated along Oundle Road, Peterborough. Mr Vara visited the post box in July 2014 along with local councillor, Nigel North, who is also campaigning to save the post box, and also wrote to Ms Moya Greene, Chief Executive of Royal Mail, asking her to review the decision.

Since then, Royal Mail has announced that it will be retaining a large number of post boxes of which many are felt to have ‘low volume’ as well as provide an additional 2,000 post boxes. Under the new proposals, postmen and women will do “collection on delivery” which would mean emptying the post box on their daily rounds rather than having a dedicated collection by a van.

Mr Vara feels that Royal Mail should apply this policy to the Botolph Green post box as it would address the company’s concerns regarding ‘low volume’ (a fact which in any event is disputed by local residents), and health and safety issues whereby Royal Mail says it is not safe for their vans to park near to the post box.

Mr Vara said:
“The recent announcement by Royal Mail on “collection on delivery” addresses the concerns that they have expressed for the Botolph Green post box, that of ‘low volume’ and also grounds of health and safety - the very reasons for which Royal Mail proposes shutting down the post box. The sensible solution would be to include the Botolph Green post box as part of this new scheme and I have written again to Moya Greene, Chief Executive of Royal Mail, asking her to reconsider her decision so that the post box can be retained.

Royal Mail’s suggested alternative post box is some way up the road and as well as the additional distance, residents would have to cross a very busy road to use it.

I hope that Ms Greene will recognise the benefits of the existing post box to local residents and leave it operational.”

Cllr Sheila Scott commented:
“Ward Councillors are only too aware of how many residents in the Botolph Green area want and need the post box to remain and both many residents and the Ward Councillors are keen to support Shailesh in any way they can in order to keep this essential local amenity.”


Photo: Mr Vara and Cllr Nigel North with the post box at Botolph Green.