Some constituents have been in touch with me in recent days concerned about the disappearance of the postbox on Coolidge Avenue, with no warning or explanation from Royal mail. This postbox serves the whole Abraham Heights area, and the nearest postboxes are now a significant walk away (see overleaf for more information), so this is a concerning development.

The bad news is that Royal Mail are rapidly gaining a reputation for removing postboxes and never replacing them. If you regularly read my website or social media, you’ll know the ordeal I have been undergoing to try and get a missing postbox on Quernmore Road – the other side of Lancaster – replaced, to the extent that even a promise from the Minister of Postal Affairs to “get it sorted” hasn’t done the job! If you’re interested, you can follow that story at catsmith.co.uk/postbox.

I have now written to Royal Mail, asking for an explanation for the missing postbox on Coolidge Avenue, and urging them to replace it as soon as possible. I really hope that this is truly just a temporary removal, and we will not see a repeat of these other situations where a temporary removal becomes permanent.

I appreciate that postboxes won’t necessarily be the first thing on your mind at the moment, but I wanted to be proactive to have the best chance of keeping the postbox, and wanted to share this with you to keep you informed. If I can be of any other assistance to you, please do not hesitate to get in touch at any time at cat.smith.mp@parliament, on 01524 566 551, or by post at Scotforth Labour Hall, 47 Scotforth Road, Lancaster LA1 4SA at the address above.