FAMILIES are fuming after a postbox was suddenly sealed up for ‘health and safety’ reasons after more than 30 years in their street.

Royal Mail closed the postbox in Station Road, Wallingford, last month because it feared its drivers could cause an obstruction to the fire station and pedestrian crossing nearby.

But neighbours are mystified it has now been classified a risk since it has been in the street for at least 30 years.

Oxfordshire County Council said the crossing was installed almost six years ago.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “The decision to remove the box was taken on health and safety grounds.

“Since the beginning of this year a very small number of boxes have been removed either for health and safety reasons, as in this case, or because they are on private land and we have been asked to remove them by the landowner.

“The location of the box in Wallingford, adjacent to the fire station and a pelican crossing means, that our drivers aren’t able to stop safely to collect without causing an obstruction.”

The spokesman, who could not confirm how long the postbox had been in the road, added: “Thankfully we are not aware of any incidents at the crossing and we are taking this action to ensure this continues.”

Other postboxes in the area are in Fir Tree Avenue, Croft Road and Castle Street.

Town councillor Betty Atkins said: “This is health and safety gone mad. We have managed with the postbox there for quite a few years. I’ve been here for 33 years and it has always been there.

“I just get the feeling that this is the thin end of the wedge and others might go.

“It’s a difficult area for the drivers but they normally pull in and have no problems at all.

“They are away quite quickly. I don’t see what the problem is.”

Margaret Brown, 76, of Station Road, said: “It’s a nuisance. I wouldn’t be surprised if they started closing more like they are doing with all these post offices. It’s probably the start of something that’s going to happen.

“Health and safety is an excuse to get rid of it. There is plenty of room for the driver to park.”

Pauline Alexander, of Station Road, said: “The first thing I knew was when I went to post a letter and it was painted black and had closed.

“If we had a note we could have said something because I do think it’s used a lot and it’s a busy road and often people stop to post letters.

“There’s always someone popping down and at Christmas it gets so full.”

Mother-of-one Pam Gray, 33, of Station Road, said: “I have complained to Royal Mail about it. I’m really annoyed because it’s so useful for us because you can just nip down.”