Fears hamlet will be left without post box (From Gazette Series)

Fears hamlet will be left without post box

RESIDENTS of a rural hamlet fear they could lose their post box after it was destroyed by a car fire.

During the early hours of Saturday, December 3 a car caught fire next to the post box near Goldwick Farm, Lower Wick. The blaze knocked the post box off its post, leaving people living in the area without the facility.

Residents have been told by Royal Mail that to erect a new post box they will need planning permission from Stroud District Council and it could be 12 weeks before the replacement can be put in position.

Maggie Bennett, of Lower Wick, told the Gazette that she feared the post box might not be replaced.

She said: "Royal Mail claim planning permission is required even though there was one there originally. I can't understand why they just can't put a replacement there or a temporary post box in. It doesn't make sense to me as to why they need planning permission.

"It is the only post box in the area. I don't walk well and it is ideal for me. I feel lost without it and we are a bit concerned it could be lost completely."

She added: "Quite a number of people use the post box - you quite often see cars pulling up so people can post their letters. I think people get to know where the post boxes are and rather than go into Dursley it is quite handy for people."

Royal Mail spokesman Dan Panes said the post box would be replaced but the process would take time.

He said: "We need to get planning permission because to replace the post box we need to dig up the road and there are implications with that - we wouldn't want to go through any gas mains.

"We have said that we are going to replace it but to do so will take time. We have got to order a new box and it has to be made from scratch, which is not a quick process."

Mrs Bennett added: "I am absolutely amazed that they have to dig up the road."