A neighbourhood has won its battle to get a postbox delivered to a cut-off housing estate.

People who live in Jennett’s Park were delighted this week when efforts from Councillor Michael Gbadebo paid off and a bright red pillar box was delivered to Tawny Owl Square on Monday.

Cllr Gbadebo requested a postbox for the housing estate last summer and has campaigned for the facility for more than a year.

Edwin Sutton, chair of Jennett’s Park Community Association, said: “Residents have been asking for some time for their own postbox – the nearest alternative was outside Waitrose in Doncastle Road.

“Royal Mail either ignored emails from residents or simply replied stating there weren’t enough people living on Jennett’s Park or Wykery Copse, which seemed a little ludicrous.

“So Cllr Gbadebo took up the helm. After a false start, when the ‘wrong size’ box was delivered, the new addition was finally put into place.” The postbox, which has been fondly named ‘Portia’ by resident Chris Hammond, is positioned outside Jennett’s Park Community Centre.

Cllr Gbadebo added: “This has taken longer than I had hoped, but I am pleased all the hard work has paid off.

“I should like to thank the Royal Mail for providing this facility at the heart of Jennett’s Park as up until now some residents have had to walk for over a mile to reach the nearest box in Doncastle Road.”

Residents, including Edwin’s wife Kerry and daughter Emily, two, have been making use of the postbox since collection started on Tuesday.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “We are always pleased when we are able to help customers where there is a need.

“We were pleased we were able to get one erected on this estate.”

Cllr Gbadebo is using the arrival of the postbox as an opportunity to highlight a new café running at the community centre during the school holidays.

He said: “I would also encourage those people who post their letters between 10am and 2pm to pop into the community café in the centre and have a relaxing cup of tea or, if we ever get any summer, a refreshing ice cream.”

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