ELDERLY residents in Kidderminster are ticked off with Royal Mail after the company refused their pleas to replace a missing post box.
The post box, which was located on Stourbridge Road, served residents living on Dunhampton Drive, Kendlewood Road, Heath Drive, Rozel Avenue and Ashley Road in the Broadwaters area.
Wyre Forest District Councillor Mary Rayner believes the post box was either vandalised or stolen.
Councillor Rayner and fellow Broadwaters ward councillor Peter Young wrote to Royal Mail to ask for its return.
She said Royal Mail recommended that residents walk down the hill in Stourbridge Road to the one at the old post office, or go to Walker Drive, which is a walk up steps, or up Sion Hill, which Councillor Rayner says is one of the steepest hills in the district.
But Councillor Rayner said it is "unacceptable for elderly people and young mothers to walk this hilly distance on a busy road".
She said: "The Royal Mail said that people can also give their mail to the postman when he comes to deliver to their houses. We never know when the postman is coming.
"It is dreadful to think that Sir Rowland Hill, founder of the Penny Post was born in Kidderminster and that it appears the Royal Mail has no positive regard for its customers.
"We imagine that Sir Rowland Hill would turn in his grave".
Dunhampton Drive resident Ken Pope, aged 77, said it's been an inconvenience for residents who still regularly post letters.
His wife Jean Pope, aged 75, added: "Because of the circumstances around it I'm a little bit annoyed".
"In my eyes it's needed and I think people around here think the same".
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Having taken into account all relevant factors, including the number of post boxes in the area, within half a mile, and the balance of economy against service provision, we are unable to install a replacement post box as requested.
“Should any residents need to post a letter and are unable to visit the nearest post box, they can hand stamped letter mail to our postmen and women when they are delivering the mail.”