Royal Mail decision sparks row over historic Filey postbox
An historic postbox repeatedly damaged by vehicles has been removed, despite calls from Filey residents for its reinstatement.
Kevin Hollinrake MP and residents are urging Royal Mail to reconsider its decision not to reinstate the George VI postbox on Station Road, which was removed after being struck by a vehicle earlier this year.
Photographs taken immediately after the collision show the post box having been partially lifted out of the pavement and leaning heavily to one side.
The cast-iron post box, dating from the reign of King George VI from 1936 to 1952, had been a familiar feature on Station Road for decades.
Royal Mail said the damage to the postbox was too extensive for it to be repaired, but locals have suggested the damage was primarily superficial and to the pavement.
Mr Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said: “I’ve been pressing Royal Mail about the historic postbox damaged in a road accident in Filey.
“During my latest meeting, I challenged their decision not to replace it, which they say is justified by the availability of other nearby postboxes.
“I also asked whether the original could be repaired, but sadly Royal Mail says the damage is too extensive.
“I’ve requested that the remains could instead be preserved at Filey Museum, so this little piece of our town’s history isn’t lost altogether.”
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), a Royal Mail spokesperson said they appreciated how important access to a postbox can be for a community.
“We always aim to balance service provision with practical constraints.
“Unfortunately, this postbox has been repeatedly damaged by vehicles and, given the risk of this happening again, we have made the difficult decision to remove it from its current location.”
Commenting on Facebook, Stephen said: “They don’t damage easily, as you can see from the photograph.
“I’d like to see what the damage is.
"They are made of really thick cast plate for a reason: to stop people from breaking into them and stealing the post.
"It was only pushed over, so it is still intact.”
David said: “Can’t see much wrong with that. Certainly above ground, I’m sure a good engineer would have that sorted quickly.
“I’ve seen far worse damage on cast iron mileposts and finger posts that has been repaired.”
Royal Mail’s spokesperson did not respond to a question about whether it could relocate the postbox to Filey Museum, as Mr Hollinrake suggested.
Ofcom requires Royal Mail to have a postbox within half a mile of 98 per cent of the UK’s residential addresses.
The company said it continues to meet this requirement locally, as the nearest is 0.1 miles away.