An Post criticised for closing Glasson post box

An Post has come in for criticism for closing a post box in Glasson after they claimed it was "increasingly dangerous for customers to use". A sign went up on the post box embedded in the wall in the centre of village last week simply stating that it is now "out of service". Speaking to the Westmeath Independent, Stephen Mitchell from the nearby Glasson Craft Gallery called the decision to take the box out of a service as a "bit outrageous" as the postman still passes it everyday. "I don't really understand how they can do it, I certainly can't see how it is done on economy grounds. I've never heard of them closing anything on danger grounds either. It's part of the village," he complained. In a statement, An Post confirmed that have taken the postbox in the picturesque village out of service over the last week or so. "Over the years the box had become increasingly dangerous for customers to use given the road layout and passing traffic. There is a post box just a very short distance away outside the local Post office," it stated. The semi-state company acknowledged that residents don't like to lose a nearby postbox, but they said they have to ensure post boxes are located in positions which best suit the majority of customers and their posting patterns which change over the years. The boxes are constantly relocated or replaced to safer locations for customers in terms of access, parking etc. However, Stephen Mitchell said to him the decision to close the post box in the middle of the village just doesn't make any sense. "It's a strange thing to do. It is used regularly. Hopefully, they will reconsider it. It's a reason to walk in and around the village," the gallery owner said. Meanwhile, Glasson's loss is Monksland's gain as a new post box has recently been installed close to Smith's Supervalu in the second fastest growing area of South Roscommon. An Post said that a new post box made sense in Monksland given the population in the area. There are approximately 5,000 post boxes nationwide, a figure which has remained largely unchanged for many years. From time to time, the company said they install new post boxes or move boxes to locations that better suit local customer needs.