Planning bosses have been left 'surprised and shocked' after a popular post box was removed from a street corner with no warning. 

Bursledon councillor Tonia Craig said the postbox at the junction of Portsmouth Road and The Common in Lowford was "used by many of the vulnerable in the community". 

But after it was removed by Royal Mail with no consultation or notice, Cllr Craig, supported by fellow Lib Dem councillor Steve Holes, is calling for a replacement.

In a motion due to be presented to the Bursledon, Hamble-le-Rice and Hound Local Area Committee on Thursday, she suggested a new box should be placed at the entrance to the Lowford Community Centre or on the pavement outside One Stop. 

She said: "The  Bursledon, Hambe-Le-Rice and Hound Local Area Committee was recently surprised and shocked that Royal Mail decided to remove a much-used post box with no consultation or notice.

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"This post box was used by many of the vulnerable in the community when visiting the shops or getting the bus from the village, as well as local businesses.

"It was the only post box in and around Bursledon not at the top of a hill and it was the only one in the village centre."

The motion also calls for Royal Mail to meet with councillors to discuss a way forward and notify the authority and community of any future planned changes. 

The postbox is thought to have been removed in March forcing residents to visit other nearby sites including on Oak Hill, Lionheart Way and Reeves Way. 

The Echo understands this was at the request of a property owner as it was on private land. 

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Cllr Craig said a new box at Lowford Community Centre would be on Eastleigh Borough Council land and "could be easily accessed by Royal Mail as they already pull up in the centre car park to let workers out to deliver post".

She said one outside One Stop would also be "central to the village and the pavement is wide enough to take it without hindering the thoroughfare".

Royal Mail has four other post boxes within a third of a mile of the one removed.