Views sought on plan to close some post boxes

Guernsey Post has announced a consultation to lower the number of roadside post boxes

Islanders are being asked to give their views on reducing the number of roadside post boxes in use in Guernsey.

Guernsey Post has announced the proposal in response to a "significant decline" in use.

Chief Executive Steve Sheridan said the company had been undertaking a review internally and analysis showed it was handling fewer than five items a day at two thirds of its post boxes.

He said: "The analysis we have derived is that at two thirds of the post boxes, we are only handling less than five items per day, and there are many boxes which are empty two to three times a day."

"This initiative is to try to better align our service provision with a demand of customers," said Mr Sheridan.

He said the consultation process was part of a wider business efficiency review showing how the company remained sustainable and was aligning services to consumer demand.

Mr Sheridan said the company was inviting people to give "constructive and meaningful input" into the consultation period starting on 15 August.

"This public consultation is an important part in making sure we have that balance absolutely right," he said.

Guernsey Post said the public consultation would end on 12 September

Mr Sheridan said there were no immediate plans to remove the post boxes but this would be reviewed in time.

"We just need to carefully consider which ones we are closing and whether we look to remove them or retain them," he said.

The consultation is due to end on 12 September when the company will consider the feedback.

"We will clearly communicate our final decision that we intend to take with the community," added Mr Sheridan.

As part of the wider efficiency review, he said the company was also identifying rationalisation savings and reductions in head count.

Guernsey Post said each post box identified for potential closure would carry a notice advising of the proposal and how to provide feedback.