Thousands of residents living within a three-mile radius of Shrewsbury town centre will have to make sure they post their mail earlier after Royal Mail decided to bring forward last collections by up to two hours.
The new times, which came into effect on Monday, apply to a total of 94 postboxes in the SY1 to SY3 postcode areas.
Collection times have been brought forward from 7.30pm to either 5.30pm or 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Royal Mail says the changes will help it reach its next-day delivery targets.
Notices advising customers of the changes were pasted onto post boxes two weeks ago, stating 7.30pm collections would only be made at the Shrewsbury Mail Centre in Castle Foregate and a number of town centre boxes. Affected areas include Sundorne, Harlescott, Monkmoor, Sutton Farm, Abbey Foregate, London Road, Copthorne, The Mount, Bayston Hill, Radbrook, Gains Park, Belle Vue and Meole.
Residents have hit out at the changes which have already been agreed with post regulator Postcomm.
A resident from Longden Coleham, who does not wish to be named, told the Chronicle she would now have to walk ‘a very long way’ to use the late collection.
She added she didn’t understand why the changes had come into force as her local post box was well-used.
“I know that where I am the late collection gets well used as I’ve stood out there when the postman has been late,” she said.
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “These changes were made to improve efficiency and quality of service for our customers in the competitive market in which we now operate and to ensure all mail enters our system in time to achieve next-day delivery.
“Notices were placed on the affected boxes at least two weeks in advance advising customers of the changes, which are within the final collection time specification agreed with our regulator Postcomm.
“Later collections are still made from the post box at the Shrewsbury Mail Centre in Castle Foregate and anumber of town centre boxes.”
by Charlotte Hester