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St Peter Port official ‘horrified’ by plans to scrap post boxes

A PARISH official is horrified about the proposed scrapping of dozens postboxes around Town.

While most post boxes in the centre of town have avoided closure such as the one by the Victor Hugo statue, several in the north of St Peter Port are facing being shut down under proposals from Guernsey Post. (Picture by Erin Vaudin, 34364464
While most post boxes in the centre of town have avoided closure such as the one by the Victor Hugo statue, several in the north of St Peter Port are facing being shut down under proposals from Guernsey Post. (Picture by Erin Vaudin, 34364464 / Guernsey Press

While central boxes near the High Street have largely been saved, the outskirts of Town have seen swathes of boxes set for closure.

St Peter Port senior constable Diane Mitchell said the proposals looked ‘quite horrific’ for her parish. She said she was concerned about the impact the suggested closures would have on elderly, disabled and other vulnerable people.

‘My mum is 96 and still writes letters, there will be a number of elderly and disabled people affected and they need to be taken into account,’ she said.

She was grateful Guernsey Post was holding a consultation period – which runs until 12 September – and thought it very likely the parish would make representations once douzeniers had met later this month.

Other parishes are starting to process how many of their boxes could go.

In St Andrew’s five of its six boxes could close.

Former constable Martin Thwaite, now dean of the douzaine, said he understood the logic behind most of Guernsey Post’s five proposed closures in the parish.

‘There are a couple in very remote locations, one is out by what was a sub-post office which has been closed for about 40 years.’

The one closure he had an issue with was the box situated along Rue Frairies, between Blanchelande College and The Last Post.

‘That one does get used, there’s a lot of housing around there, so I personally think it should be retained.’

He said the parish would meet to discuss whether or not to make a representation.

St Peter’s and Torteval, with their small populations, will see most of their boxes close.

Torteval will be left with one box and St Peter’s with two.

In St Peter’s, senior constable Tim Langmead, a former postman of 32 years, said moves to close down post boxes were ‘inevitable’ due to fewer letters being sent.

‘It is what it is,' he said. 'I do see the logic of it.’

He said the parish would send on any representations to Guernsey Post if they received any from parishioners, but he thought it unlikely.

Torteval senior constable Becky Link said the three proposed closures in her parish were ‘another nail in the coffin’ for Torteval.

‘It’s just sad.’

‘I think we will probably put a representation in once we’ve met as a douzaine.’

One of the Torteval boxes facing closure is located at Les Sages.

However, one parish resident is hoping to save it.

Jurat David Robilliard said the box had been in the parish for more than 140 years, and was part of Torteval's history.

Assuming it would be made redundant, he has urged the douzaine to consider either moving it to a location in the parish that was under the ownership of ratepayers.

Failing that, Mr Robilliard said the box should remain in its present location but with an appropriate inscription.

He added this was his least preferred option as the box would be on private property and potentially subject to less sympathetic views of future owners.

‘I hope that the douzaine will consider it appropriate, in due course, to make representations to Guernsey Post with a view to preserving this item of the parish’s heritage.’

The Guernsey Post consultation can be viewed at https://www.guernseypost.com/post-box-consultation

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