'We hope Shifnal residents find this one just as useful': Royal Mail responds over new town-centre parcel box

The Royal Mail has issued a response after the location of its new Shifnal parcel box left the town council bemused.

Last week saw the new box appear on the pedestrianised area of Cheapside in the town.

Following its appearance local residents questioned the location chosen for the box, while Shifnal Town Council revealed that it had no idea it was being installed - until it was put in place.

The council also spoke about the prospect of its positioning causing significant issues in the planning of its Christmas lights event on November 28, which sees stalls taking over the pedestrianised area.

The Shropshire Star contacted the Royal Mail to ask if it was aware of the concerns, and if it had spoken to the town council before installing the box.

In response the company said the installation was part of a modernisation scheme, pointing to its own statement from earlier this year that detailed plans to upgrade 600 post boxes “with a striking new parcel postbox, able to accept medium-sized parcels”.

It did not comment on whether the council had been notified of the plans.

The firm said the boxes have met with a positive reaction in other areas, and it hoped Shifnal residents find it “just as useful”.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “We’re giving our customers even more convenient ways to access our services. Traditional postboxes can be used for letters and smaller items, while our new parcel postboxes make it easy to send and return larger parcels.

“We’re pleased to see positive feedback in areas where parcel postboxes have already been introduced and hope Shifnal residents find this one just as useful.”

Shropshire Council has confirmed its highways department was not aware of the installation of the box.