Fake car crash scam 'worst in country'
The problem of insurance claims from deliberate smashes has become so bad that Crimestoppers has joined with the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) to urge the public to turn in criminal gangs who are risking public safety.
The annual cost of ‘crash for cash’ fraud to the insurance industry now stands at £392 million with the average value of scams investigated by the IFB running at £1.7 million.
BD9, BD3 and BD8 are in the top ten of worst hotspots with one councillor in the worst-affected area describing the figures as “staggering”.
Councillor Rizwan Malik (Lab, Heaton) said Bradford was expensive for motorists to be insured. “It is a real pity and I feel for the good people and motorists out there genuinely in difficult times where this area is the worst for insurance premiums,” Coun Malik said.
“There is a handful of idiots going round taking advantage of the system to get a quick buck. I wasn’t aware that BD9 was the top one in the area but we do have affluent people living here and it is possible they are taken advantage of.
“It is a staggering, staggering statistic and will raise a lot of eyebrows with residents around BD9 and make them more vigilant.”
Councillor Mohammad Shabbir (Bradford Independent Group, Heaton) said that with 19 years’ no-claims bonus, he was paying £1,450 in insurance, but when he moved to Shipley that was cut to £450.
“I think it is absolutely deplorable that people seeking to gain money through lying about injuries,” he said.
“Companies who trawl for personal injuries or stage these events should take personal responsibility,” he added. Fellow ward Councillor Imdad Hussain (The Peace Party) described the figures as “shocking” and “disappointing”.
“I was in the claims management business many years ago but no longer am,” he said. “It surprises me that BD9 is number one in the whole of the UK.”
Bradford East MP David Ward, who has long campaigned against huge insurance premiums inflicted on local motorists, said: “My report into the car insurance industry in 2011 highlighted that Bradford had one of the highest levels of personal injury claims and instances of insurance fraud in the country.
“It makes me angry as for too long people have thought that car insurance fraud like this is a victimless crime, it’s not. It increases premiums for everyone but especially penalises young people in my constituency as they can no longer afford to run a car.
“Reforms by the Government to the claims system has already brought car insurance premiums down across the country by about £80.
“What’s crucial is that the Coalition Government is taking important steps to tackle insurance fraud and will be introducing an independent medical examiner to oversee all whiplash claims. Rather than just automatically paying because it saves them money, once implemented insurance companies will need a medical certificate before they are able to pay out on any claims. This will stop fraudulent whiplash claims.”
Bradford and Birmingham contain nine of the worst ten areas for crash for cash incidents.
Motorists in the hotspot areas are now being warned to be particularly vigilant with the campaign aiming to raise public awareness of the ‘Crash for Cash’ phenomenon, whereby criminals target innocent and unsuspecting motorists with the intention of staging crashes in order to make claims against them.
By exaggerating claims for personal injury, vehicle damage and car hire, individual claims made by scammers can be as much as £30,000.
Ben Fletcher, IFB director, said: “Far from being a victimless crime, ‘crash for cash’ scams hit motorists in the pocket and put other road users in harm’s way.”
Roger Critchell, of Crimestoppers, said: “This is a serious and organised crime that funds other crimes, including weapons and drug smuggling.
“For this reason I would urge anyone who has information on those committing these premeditated incidents to contact Cheatline anonymously.”
Anyone with information about scams should call the anonymous Cheatline – powered by Crimestoppers on 0800 422 0421 or visit crashscam. co.uk.
Appeal to revamp landmark Manningham mill site
Friday 29th November 2013 By Rhys Thomas, T&A Reporter
A project to transform the huge derelict section of the iconic Lister Mill site in Bradford got under way yesterday.
Residents and community leaders gathered for two consultation sessions in the Silk Mill building in Manningham to pool ideas on what developments would most benefit the site.
More than 40 people met in the Manningham Mills Community Centre, in the Silk Hall, at 2pm and 4pm. The part of the site under scrutiny is alongside Beamsley Street, half of Patent Street, and part of Heaton Road, which is home to various empty and crumbling buildings, as well as an area of land that was described as a “total tip”.
She said: “If we come up with enough ideas that would make the site sustainable we could go for funding.”
Miss Harris continued: “By this time next year we will know if it is a goer or not – we will know what we will be doing out there.”
She also said: “What we need is something that suits the needs of Manningham and that would be economically viable. What can we use this space for that wopuld benefit the area and bring people in from outside? Benefiting the area is key.”
Residents’ suggestions for the site as well as were plentiful and varied.
They included: a cricket pitch, a swimming pool, a multi-gym, a vineyard, a craft centre, a sensory garden, allotments, a dance studio, and a nature centre for animals.
Miss Harris also talked of creating a cycle track within the grounds for children to learn to ride bikes on – with a view to Sustrans creating a cycle route between the site and Lister Park.
Seth Jenkinson and John Weller live in flats in the Lister Mill block. They attended the consultation at 2pm.
Mr Jenkinson said: “After years of inaction, Urban Splash appears to be getting the community development people involved but it is very dodgy because the site needs an awful lot doing to it. It is a huge site.”
They both welcomed plans to develop the site. The Lister Mill site, which is home to apartments and a college among other things, is owned by developers Urban Splash.
The courtyard that separates Silk Mill and Velvet Mill is also earmarked for development. Volunteer consultant on the project, Val Harris, said the community side of the venture was the key for funding from organisations such as the National Lottery.
Manningham Mills Cricket Club Expelled from Bradford League
27th September,2013 ( from T&A)
Bradford’s passion for cricket was on display at a protest rally held by Manningham Mills club against its ejection from the city’s premier league.
The 150-year-old club was voted out of The JCT600 Bradford League last week after a season-long wrangle over unpaid fines and ground improvements turned into a crisis.
Now one of the city’s most successful clubs is adrift with no-one to play – unless an extra-ordinary solution can be found.
Some 100 players and supporters turned up at the club last night to show their frustration at what they see as disproportionate punishment.
Bradford West MP George Galloway last night offered to mediate in the matter.
The Respect MP said: “I have been contacted by many constituents about the drastic step of expelling the club.
“I don’t pretend to know all of the facts of this matter, nor am I saying the club has been blameless.
“There have been problems, particularly over the payment of fines, but as I understand it all of the money owed has been paid to the league.
“I am more than happy to try to broker a satisfactory conclusion between the club and the league.
“Expelling this club with a very long history and some outstanding alumni would be a tragedy. Let’s get round the table and work out a solution which gives Manningham Mills a future and which protects and strengthens the league.
“Everyone knows that Manningham is a severely disadvantaged area, effectively destroying a notable community asset would be a tragedy. Let’s ensure that does not happen.”
Manningham Mills Cricket Club chairman Michael Kaye admitted there had been problems stemming from non-payment of a £75 fine which mushroomed, but insisted the real issue had been lack of communication by the League.
Supporter Mohammed Hussain, a social worker, summed up the general mood of the club: “These are minor and trivial concerns which can all be solved.
“This is an elite club which feeds young players to Yorkshire and those such as Adil Rashid who go on to play for England.
“Manningham Mills produces amazing players and it’s a great community asset.”
Ward Councillor Ishtiaq Ahmed (Respect) is a former captain at the club and was there to lend his support. “This is a great club and I believe the League’s behaviour has been disproportionate,” he said.
“This could destroy the club and is putting up barriers rather than supporting the inner city.”
The League’s management board issued the following statement: “As a consequence of a number of serious issues which have arisen during the 2013 season, involving Manningham Mills Cricket Club’s breach of the Bradford Cricket League’s rules and standards, including non-payment of dues to the league, the remaining 25 constituent clubs, affiliated to the League, were asked to consider Manningham Mills’ future membership.
“At an Extraordinary General Meeting on 19th September 2013, a representative from each of the constituent clubs was requested to vote on a resolution as to whether Manningham Mills should remain members of the league.
“Having regard to all the facts, including representation from Manningham Mills, the result confirmed by 17 to seven with one abstention that Manningham Mills Cricket Club’s membership of the League should be discontinued, with immediate effect.
“The ballot was limited to member clubs only, the management board did not participate or offer any recommendation as to how the clubs should vote.”
Police step up patrols at Lister Park, Manningham
8:00am Monday 26th August 2013 (T&A).
Police are providing a high-visibility presence in a Bradford park amid concern about anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. Officers have stepped up patrols in Lister Park, Manningham, around the art gallery in order to provide reassurance to the community and prevent problems
Former addict sets up prescription drugs support group in Bradford
.11:00am Wednesday 28th August 2013 (T&A).
Support worker Debbie Fielding at the Unity Centre, Manningham Lane, where the new Benzo Support Group will meet A support group for those addicted to prescribed and over-the-counter medication has been set up in Bradford by one man who managed to wean himself off the drugs.
Tens of thousands of prescriptions are estimated to be issued each year locally for the drugs such as benzodiazepines and ‘Z’ drugs, which can become addictive if taken over time and lead to extreme withdrawal symptoms.
These drugs have well known brand names such as Valium and Librium.
Now Bridge, the largest drugs charity in Bradford, which provides services for people with substance misuse problems such as heroin, crack and other illicit drugs, is helping to facilitate the support group created by Paul – not his real name – who managed to wean himself off benzodiazepines, although he experienced horrendous withdrawal symptoms.
Jon Royle, the chief executive of Bridge, said that although no-one knows exactly how many people have become addicted to them, in 2009 more than ten million prescriptions were issued in England and estimates are that more than one million people nationally may have some degree of dependence.
“Used within NHS prescribing guidelines, normally two to four weeks, these drugs have an important clinical role in the treatment of anxiety disorders and insomnia,” Mr Royle said.
“However, long-term use can lead to dependence, which comes with a range of potentially devastating side effects such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, tremors and pain.
“Many of the patients Bridge sees are in their 40s, 50s and 60s and they became dependent as a result of over prescribing in the 1960s and 1980s.
“Paul approached Bridge because he wants to help other sufferers and he is helping to run the first Benzo Support Group in Yorkshire, which will be holding its first meeting in September at the Unity Recovery Centre, 30 Manningham Lane.
“Anyone who is experiencing problems with benzodiazepines or ‘Z’ drugs and would like to join the group should contact Debbie Fielding, Bridge Benzodiazepine specialist worker on (01274) 715834 to find out more.”
PAUL'S STORY
Paul, not his real name, was first prescribed Valium around eight years ago, for anxiety and sleep problems caused by work stress.
He said after taking the drug for about a month his stress disappeared, but he started feeling unwell.
He said: “Looking back now, I should have been more than a little concerned, because I often found myself nipping into the toilet before an important, or even an unimportant, meeting and taking my daily Valium dose a little early just so that I’d be able to handle the stress of sitting in a room with other people and having to answer their questions as part of my work.
“Over time, I became more and more unwell and had trouble understanding what was happening to me.
“I went back to see a number of doctors and complained of severe nausea, vomiting, a poor appetite, depression, anxiety, balance problems, heart palpitations, panic attacks, agoraphobia, claustrophobia, and severe insomnia.”
Paul said he found it easy to obtain more Valium, as most of his GPs signed repeat prescriptions.
He said: “By late 2011 I was unable to work and I was on a cocktail of prescription medication and I was feeling extremely unwell indeed.
“Despite having a very episodic memory, I can clearly recall a day when I was walking down my own street and looking back at myself walking down my own street.
“Neighbours and friends were concerned, but didn’t know what to do, as I generally failed to recognise them when they tried to talk to me.”
Paul said he later had a serious accident and was rushed into the hospital in a critical condition. As the medics didn’t know about his Valium prescription, he was withdrawn from it suddenly.
He said withdrawal was “very unpleasant”, but he survived it, returned to work, and started rebuilding his relationships.
Since then, with the support of Professor Heather Ashton, an expert on drug addiction, Paul has put his efforts into helping show others there is “a life beyond Valium”.
Paul said it was important to acknowledge that benzodiazepine drugs could help people and had saved many lives. He also said anyone who has been taking them for a long time should never stop suddenly.
Nazim is taking fundraising to new heights with Ben Nevis charity climb
Telegraph & Argus 29th August,2013
A brave fundraiser from Bradford is climbing Britain’s highest mountain, despite suffering from vertigo.
Nazim Ali, general secretary of the Muslim organisation Naqshbandia Active Development Association, is tackling Ben Nevis on Saturday.
He hopes to raise money for the Bradford-based international charity Human Relief Foundation, to be spent on helping Syrian refugees.
Mr Ali, 32, pictured during a training session at Ilkley’s Cow and Calf rocks, said he had been to Syria in the past and had been appalled by the levels of violence seen there during recent months.
He said: “I am greatly saddened by what is currently happening in the country, so I thought I’d make my small contribution. Thousands of lives have already been lost in the violence and the death toll is rising daily.”
Mr Ali, who lives in Manningham and is also a familiar face on the junior football scene in Bradford, has raised nearly £6,000 for humanitarian causes by running three marathons and climbing Mount Snowdon.
People can sponsor Mr Ali at justgiving.com/nazimali300.
Why people in Yorkshire are such good neighbours
Tuesday 27th August 2013 in Behind the News By Sally Clifford, T&A
Gone are the days when neighbours gossiped over the garden fence.
Social networking has, in some ways, taken care of that, along with busy lifestyles. Many communities have become commuter areas but despite this change in tradition it seems people still love thy neighbour – especially in Yorkshire!
A survey, carried out as part of Swinton Insurance’s Great Britain’s Greatest Neighbour campaign, found that residents of Yorkshire like their neighbours more than any other part of the country.
Of those surveyed, 84.9 per cent said they would call their neighbour in an emergency – second only to Scotland in all the regions surveyed, while 88.3 per cent recognised the importance of getting on with their neighbours.
Bringing in wheelie bins for neighbours was the most popular way of helping and proved to be the highest neighbourly deed in the country, and barbecues were a great way for neighbours getting together.
Those who didn’t speak to some of their neighbours fell below the national average of 16.4 per cent, proving that Yorkshire is a friendly place to live.
Blocking driveways; parking in neighbour’s spaces; having an untidy garden; swearing and rowing were just some of the top 20 reasons for blanking neighbours.
Elizabeth Hellmich is the perfect example of a friendly neighbour. Elizabeth has lived in the village of Heaton, just a few miles from Bradford city centre, for more than 30 years.
Twelve years ago she set up the Safe Project in the aftermath of the Manningham riots to help people in local communities feel safe on their streets, and was awarded the MBE for her work in bringing people together.
“I have been here more than 30 years and we have seen some big changes on the street. It was really good when we moved here and now it’s absolutely brilliant,” says Elizabeth, referring to the neighbourly environment.
“There are different nationalities on the street and everybody gets along.”
Elizabeth believes being a good neighbour and getting along with those living close by is all about education.
“I think it is respect and education. If children are not taught respect from an early age it has gone for the rest of their life. A lot of that attitude is down to education.”
Tolerance is another neighbourly trait. “You have to be tolerant because not everybody lives the same. People like different things but just start off with a ‘hello’ or a smile and you will find it will build from that.”
Zena Mozil is officially a good neighbour, having won the category in last year’s Community Stars awards run by the Telegraph & Argus and Bradford Council to recognise the area’s unsung heroes.
The sprightly 85-year-old settled in Shipley after leaving her native Poland and Ukraine in 1947 and has worked tirelessly within the local community.
Until last year, Zena volunteered in the kitchen at the Polish Centre in Bradford and she regularly does shopping for her elderly housebound neighbour.
“Neighbours should live like a family,” says Zena.
She says being a good neighbour is being there to support people when they are in need. “If they are poorly or stuck for something, always help them out. That is the main thing,” she adds.
Steve Chelton, from Swinton, says: “The poll has shed light on how many feel about immediate and surrounding neighbours, this is why our campaign is centred around finding the greatest neighbours in our nation.
“Regardless of the day-to-day disagreements, it is important to try and keep good relationships with neighbours as you may be living next to them for some time and you never know when an emergency might occur.”
Speaking of the wider Great Britain’s Greatest Neighbour campaign, he added: “Our campaign encourages people to nominate those in their community who really do demonstrate the best of neighbourly spirit, as we are sure there are many out there who epitomise what it means to be a great neighbour in Britain today.
“Be it looking after the house during a holiday, watching next door’s kids, or someone who goes the extra mile to be an outstanding member of the community, we believe Britain has great neighbours and they deserve to be celebrated.
“That’s why we have started a Facebook campaign to find Great Britain’s Greatest Neighbour.”
For further information about the campaign, see the Swinton Facebook page at facebook.
Plans submitted to build four studio flats in Manningham
Wednesday 21st August 2013 T&A.
Bradford Council has received an application to build four studio flats on land behind a Grade II-listed Manningham house.
Anil Singh has applied to build the development at 15 Skinner Lane, which lies in Manningham St Paul’s Conservation area.
Work starts on conversion of Manningham Pool building
Wednesday 7th August 2013
Work has started on converting the listed former Manningham Pool building, sold off by Bradford Council, into a women-only gym.
The building, which dates back to 1904, was sold at auction in March last year for £85,000 and listed building consent was given with conditions to “minimise the impact on the existing listed fabric of the pool” in a £750,000 development.
Developers have pledged much of what made the pool historic would be retained in the plans, including the ceramic lip to the waterline and ceramic spittoons.
The building was bought by businessman Amjad Saddique who wanted to run it as a gym for women. The plans include altering the old pool with a new level floor insert and using the sunken pool floor as a studio with a mezzanine floor above to house gym equipment. There will also be a spa lounge, beauty salon and cafe.
Planning agent Amir Khan said: “Work has started, but it is going to be slow just because of the delicate balance we are striking between keeping the pool’s heritage and adding new elements to it.
“It will probably be the end of the year before the gym is finally ready to open, but it is a significant investment to Manningham of about £500,000 and it will bring a major boost to women’s health in the area.
“As soon as you walk into the building you will still be able to see it was a swimming pool. Everything will still be there so it could, in the future, be used as a pool again.”
The exterior of the Carlisle Road building would be virtually unchanged under the proposals.
The Grade II listed building closed when the Council was looking to save £119,000 a year and £1.2 million in repairs were also needed. Protesters had staged a campaign in an attempt to keep the pool open which included a candlelit vigil swim.
Councillors urge Respect to revoke pair’s suspension as MP rift continues
Wednesday 21st August 2013 T&A
Bradford’s Respect councillors, who temporarily resigned from their party en-masse last week, say they hope to resolve the dispute this week.
All five sitting Respect councillors made the shock move last Thursday, after two of their number were suspended from the party over comments they made to a national newspaper about Bradford West Respect MP George Galloway.
They accused the party of failing to explain the reasons for the pair’s suspensions and said they would be resigning the party whip until the two councillors in question – Ishtiaq Ahmed and Mohammed Shabbir – are “publicly exonerated and their suspensions revoked”.
But this hasn’t yet happened, group leader Councillor Alyas Karmani said yesterday. Coun Karmani (Little Horton), said he was hopeful the matter could still be resolved and expected an announcement by the end of the week.
Ron McKay, Mr Galloway’s spokesman and the party’s national secretary, said both he and Mr Galloway also wanted the dispute to be resolved and said the current situation looked “encouraging”.
The rift between Mr Galloway, the party’s most prominent figure, and the five Respect councillors has been blamed on three separate issues.
The most publicised of these is Mr Galloway’s suggestion that he could run as Mayor of London in 2016.
Councillors Ahmed (Manningham) and Shabbir (Heaton) both publicly criticised the idea, saying the MP’s focus should remain in Bradford – a move which led to their suspensions.
In the aftermath of the suspensions, Mr Galloway also claimed there was a link between the local situation and a court case involving his former aide.
Mr Galloway’s former parliamentary secretary, Aisha Ali-Khan, 33, of Keighley, and Metropolitan Police Detective Inspector Afiz Khan, 46, last week appeared in court charged with misconduct-related offences.
The pair will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on August 28.
In a blog, Mr Galloway alleged that unnamed councillors had “openly connived with the Khans in destabilising the party in Bradford”.
This claim led to anger among all five Respect councillors. A joint statement from the group – which also includes deputy group leader Ruqayyah Collecter (City) and Faisal Khan (Bradford Moor) said: “This allegation is defamatory, baseless and completely unfounded and is symptomatic of a culture within the party that seeks to marginalise and excommunicate party members that raise legitimate concerns in relation to the operation and future development of the Respect Party in Bradford.”
The third disagreement surrounds the party’s choice of candidate to fight for the Manningham ward at the next local elections in May. The councillors were said to be unhappy when Mr Galloway overruled their choice of candidate.
Streetwear store opens in the city
Friday 23rd August 2013 Telegraph & Argus .
An online streetwear retailer has opened a store in Bradford.
Yukka’s flagship store at Lister Mills, Manningham, sells clothing from brands in the UK, Europe and US.
Established in 2003, Yukka was one of the first UK streetwear specialists to offer hip hop and urban fashion, popularised by acts such as Dr Dre, Eminem and 50 Cent.
Yukka founder Robby Sur said: “Now that we’ve opened the doors to our first high street store, we will undoubtedly carry on giving streetwear fans a lot to talk about.”
Petition calls for action over prostitutes on Lumb Lane, Manningham
3rd July 2013
Prostitution is causing problems in Manningham, according to locals.
Decades ago, Lumb Lane became known as Bradford’s red light district and it was immortalised as “The Lane” in 1990s drama Band of Gold.
Police successfully rid the area of sex workers, but now it seems the problem is back.
A 1,591-signature petition has been sent to Bradford Council calling for something to be done about the issue, which is affecting a number of streets in the area.
The petition is from a group calling themselves the ‘Lumb Lane business community’ and because it has more than 1,500 signatures, Council rules mean the issue must be discussed at a meeting of the full Council.
Councillors will debate the problem for up to 15 minutes at their next meeting, on Tuesday.
Councillor Imran Hussain (Lab), executive member for safer and stronger communities, said he believed the petition had been handed in a few months ago and since then the Council had been working with the police to address locals’ concerns.
He said: “We take concerns around this type of issue very seriously and the Council and its partners have been working in partnership to resolve these issues.”
The neighbourhood policing team (NPT) for Manningham and Toller has identified tackling the sex trade as one of its priorities. On the police team’s website, the problem area is identified as Lumb Lane, Gracechurch Street, Sedgewick Close, Hanover Square and Bowland Street.
For the past few months the team has been carrying out an operation to tackle both prostitution and drug use, which has seen a number of arrests made.
West Yorkshire Police’s Vice Team has also been working with partnership agencies to engage with local sex workers.
At the beginning of the crackdown in March, NPT Inspector Richard Baildon said: “Not only is prostitution damaging to the women involved, but also to local businesses and residents.
“We recognise, however, the many layers involved in tackling this issue and we are working hard to address each of them.”
Night for women only at Manningham Sports Centre
Tuesday 4th June 2013
A weekly women-only night is starting at Manningham Sports Centre in Bradford.
Sports including football, badminton, aerobics, boxercise, and netball will be among the activities on offer on Mondays.
The bactive event starts on Monday, June 10,2013 and will run every week from 7pm to 10pm. The night costs £5.55 for one session or £3.25 for Passport to Leisure holders.
The centre has received funding from Sport England’s Sportivate programme. Janan, a luxury Asian fashion company, will also be sponsoring events.
To book, contact the centre on (01274) 494927.
Police name man being hunted over rape of woman in Bradford
Sunday 20th April 2014
Detectives have released this picture of a man they are hunting in connection with a “stranger rape” in Bradford.
They want to trace Milos Cicak, a Slovakian national, after a 37-year-old woman was subjected to a serious sexual assault.
The alleged rape happened at about 1.30am, on Monday, April 7, at the junction of Lilycroft Road and Heaton Road, Manningham, Bradford.
The victim was approached by the suspect, who assaulted her and then walked away with a male friend.
After they had left, the victim contacted police to report the incident.
Detective Superintendent Lisa Griffin, of Bradford District Police, said: "We are appealing for information from the public to trace Milos Cicak, a Slovakian national, who we would like to speak to in connection with the incident.”
"He is described as about 5ft 6ins tall, with dark brown short hair and is of medium build. Cicak should not be approached and we would ask anyone who sees him to contact 999.
"Anyone who has information about his whereabouts can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."
Shock as historic postbox removed from Bradford
Chair of the Heaton Township Association, Sonja McNally, at the site where the post box used to be. An historic Victorian postbox which had been repeatedly vandalised has now been removed by the Royal Mail – much to the surprise of villagers.
The postbox, which was embedded in the wall of a house on Highgate in Heaton, Bradford, is believed to date back as far as the 1850s.
Last May, residents found it haphazardly splashed with white paint, and after Royal Mail repainted it the traditional red, within hours it was daubed with white again.
The metal plaque displaying the collection times was also removed, leaving people unsure as to whether the box was still in use.
Now a year on from the vandalism, the postbox has been removed without warning, and the hole filled in.
Sonja McNally, chairman of the Heaton Township Association, said she was concerned that not only had residents not been given any notice, but they had also not had a chance to put their side forward.
“There was no notification,” she said. “How can this happen without any notice?
“It’s a very well-used postbox – a special postbox with all the history attached to it.
“But Royal Mail haven’t given people the chance to ask questions and find out whether there will be a replacement.
“This is something that affects the community and the community hasn’t been given the chance to ask the reasons why.”
She added that they would like to find out whether a free-standing postbox will be installed in its place.
Royal Mail spokesman Felicity MacFarlane said: “The postbox in Heaton has been removed as it is on private property.
“The owner of the property has asked us to remove it and we are obliged to remove boxes under these circumstances.”
She added that due to sufficient coverage in the area, a replacement standalone postbox was not being provided.
