10:17am Wednesday 11th February 2009
BISHOPS Frome is to get a new post box as soon as possible, the Royal Mail has promised.
Villagers were angry when their post box was taken away without any warning on Monday.
But the next day, the village's county councillor Patricia Morgan and other residents met Royal Mail representatives who assured them a replacement will be provided as quickly as possible.
The box that has been removed was set on the wall of the former post office and general store, which closed its doors a few weeks ago. Because the building is no longer a post office, the box had to be taken away.
The Royal Mail has said that a new pillar box will be installed on land near the village hall.
Originally a small box on a metal stand was planned, but after talking to villagers this week, Royal Mail staff upgraded their plan to a full-sized pillar box.
Cllr Morgan said: "We're delighted that we're getting a new box, but I can't help feeling it would have been better if it had happened the other way round. However, we're grateful that they are doing replacing it."
John Saunders of Royal Mail said: "We apologise that the box was taken away without warning, but we are defilitely providing a new one. It should be in place within four to six weeks."
He said that in the meantime, anyone who has difficulty reaching alternative postboxes can simply hand their stamped mail to the regular delivery postman, who, under the circumstances will be happy to accept it.
Post office services are available three days a week from the Chase Inn in the village.
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