Frustration as Royal Mail lose key to new Doncaster post box leaving it useless

Residents in a Doncaster village have been left frustrated after Royal Mail bosses lost a key to a new post box.
Molly and John Whiteside outside the new post box which can't be used because Royal Mail lost the keyMolly and John Whiteside outside the new post box which can't be used because Royal Mail lost the key
Molly and John Whiteside outside the new post box which can't be used because Royal Mail lost the key

People in Spotbrough have been urging the postal giant to get their act together to put a post box in the village for months.

Retired chemical worker turned taxi driver John Whiteside, 78, and his wife Molly, 70, a retired GP, both of Melton Road, Spotbrough, were thrilled when it was announced a much awaited post box would be installed outside The Pantry cafe on Thorpe Lane.

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After another wait, the post box finally arrived but in an embarrassing blunder, Royal Mail confirmed to the Free Press they had lost the key to open it leaving the shiny new post box useless.

The cellophane was taken off but the unit has been up for around six weeks and not a single letter has been posted.

Residents were up in arms about the mishap and urged Royal Mail to sort it out.

John said:“We were delighted when we heard the news that we’d be getting a post box close by.

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“The nearest one was going out towards the A1 about half a mile away.

“For elderly residents especially it was a bit of a trip if anyone wanted to post any letters.

“People have signed various petitions to get one installed, then we waited a bit more and I couldn’t believe it when they said they had lost the key.

“It’s been really frustrating for everyone - it’s beggars belief after all the trouble to get one in the first place.”

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Royal Mail spokesperson Morag Turnbull said: “We can confirm that unfortunately a newly installed postbox in Spotbrough is currently out of service after the key went missing.

“Royal Mail would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience this may have caused.

“A new key is on order and we hope to reopen this box on Tuesday, March 14.

“In the meantime, customers can use other boxes in the area or drop of mail at any Post Office branch.”