In its 2020 annual report, the Court of Auditors singled out La Poste on several points. The Sages asked him in particular to reduce the number of mailboxes in the streets. Hundreds have thus disappeared from the urban landscape, raising fears of a shortage of local public services. Example in Aubenas in Ardèche.
“It’s disgusting !“This resident of Aubenas doesn’t beat around the bush! The disappearance of post office mailboxes does not enchant her at all. It must be said that the yellow box is a real landmark in the streets of our towns. Everyone knows where to find it to drop off their mail. However, in the town center of Aubenas in Ardèche, two of them were removed in mid-September to be redeployed elsewhere. Seven remain in the city centre.
On the facade of a tobacco shop, the mailbox has been removed. Florence Vauclare, the manager, discovered it one morning and denounced a potential shortfall for her business. The two boxes removed were both on the facade of a tobacco shop. She sees it as an injustice.
“We are stunned. We are asked to provide public service, to sell postal stamps, tax stamps, fines, to collect hospital fees, canteens and we are deprived of the public service fixed on our walls.”
Florence Vauclaretobacco manager “Le radal”
In addition, “They did it like pigs. I had to add a lick of paint. It was in deplorable condition” she adds, very upset. On the municipality’s side, the mayor explained to her that he had not been consulted and presented with a fait accompli.
On the Post side, we accept this decision. It would be the consequence of a collapse in the number of letters at the national level. “In 2008, we distributed 18 billion mailpieces. This year, we are at six billion. 66% of our core business has disappeared due to changes in consumption and communication methods. And we expect 3 billion in 2030” justifies Franck Boitard, director of the Aubenas Post Office. In 2021, thehe mail branch represented only 18% of the group’s overall activities.
For him, the disappearance of the yellow boxes is just a measure to adapt the mesh to practices. With this in mind, a locker will be installed at the sorting center so that the public can collect packages 24 hours a day, 6 days a week.
The post office is also developing personal services andis still as present in the territory“, explains Franck Boitard.
The Ardèche department now has more than 600 yellow boxes. Posting your mail in the street is therefore still possible, but in places, you will have to walk a little further.
Their location is available on the La Poste website.