PORTISHEAD residents are campaigning for more post boxes in the growing town.

People living in the Village Quarter and Port Marine areas have petitioned the chairman of Royal Mail for their help in supplying what they say is a much needed mailing out service.

In a letter to the Times Joan Eggmore one of the petition organisers who lives in Waverley Court said: “Portishead is apparently one of the fastest growing towns in Europe but the nearest post box is approximately 2km from most homes in this part of the town.

“Ironically, in spite of Rowland Hill’s reforms to help a wider public in 1840, it means a bus journey on an hourly service to post a letter in the 21st Century or the alternative of a car journey must surely be environmentally unfriendly?”

Residents say a post box facility was included on the original plans, sited near to the chocolate and model railway shops in the Village Square, Phoenix Way, and want to know why this has not materialised.

A petition sent to Royal Mail contained 261 signatures of people asking for more post boxes.

Royal Mail says the situation is being investigated.

A spokesman said: “We are aware of the strong public opinion regarding the provision of posting facilities in Portishead and areassessing the current provision as a matter of urgency.”

Meanwhile the search continues to find a suitable site for a second post office in Portishead.

Post office services have been a bone of contention in the town for years, with residents arguing they do not meet the demands of the community. In 2011 the Post Office advised Portishead Town Council that a second service will be introduced as soon as a site can be agreed but, despite a willing and suitable site being put forward, a new site has so far failed to materialise.