John Whittingdale received a petition of over 400 signatures from Mrs Jacqueline Yaxley, proprietor of Jabberwocky in Maldon High Street. The petition called on the Royal Mail to retain the existing collecting box in the High Street , which was closed when the Post Office was relocated to the rear of Budgens. John Whittingdlae has sent the petition to the Chief Executive of Royal Mail urging him to reopen the Collecting Box and has received a response saying that the Royal Mail are carrying out a feasibility study to see if a Postbox can be placed in the High Street outside Budgens. John Whittingdale said;
“I welcome the fact that Royal Mail are looking again at the possibility of keeping a Collecting Box in the High Street. This is undoubtedly preferable to the existing position of a box at the rear of Budgens where it is only accessible when the store is open. However, I do not see why it is necessary to move it from one side of the street to the other. I will also be seeking assurances that the existing Post Box will be either retained or replaced with one of similar design which is keeping with the historic nature of our High Street.”
UPDATE
Since receipt of the petition, the Post Box in the High Street has been reopened and is now functioning again. John Whittingdale said: “I am delighted that the Post Office has listened to the views of local residents and that common sense has prevailed.”
