South Lakeside resident Peter Epp told city council during its regular meeting Tuesday that he has asked Canada Post to relocate the community mailboxes in his neighbourhood.
Presently his mailbox is located on Birch Hill Street which is on a steep hill.
“When the first snowfall comes it is going to be slippery there. If you are going up the hill the only place you can stop is in a household driveway across the street,” Epp said, noting there are no sidewalks and very little room to pull over on either sides of the road.
Birch Hill Street resident Jessica Doerner told council when she called Canada Post with her concerns, she was told 30 people had called about the same mailboxes.
“It’s 64 cars that stop there,” Doerner said. “They told me they were going to move it up the hill just below the stop sign at Juniper and Birch Hill.”
Her concern is that no one stops at the stop sign. She knows because her driveway is right there, she added.
After Epp and Doerner made their case, council agreed unanimously to push Canada Post to relocate the boxes to South Lakeside Drive.
However, Canada Post said Thursday the boxes will be moved to the south side of 112 Birch Hill Place.
“The new location is at the top of the hill where there is minimal slope,” said CP spokesperson Anick Losier “As you can appreciate, our goal remains to keep sites accessible, within walking distance and safe for our customers. Unfortunately, no other areas were suitable to meet our criterias.”
Losier said should any customers be concerned or have issues with their mail or mailbox, she encourages them to contact CP via 1-844-454-3009.
Coun. Craig Smith said there are other mailboxes in Williams Lake placed poorly and suggested council ask that more boxes be relocated.
Coun. Jason Ryll said he is running into similar scenarios and challenges where he lives on Dog Creek Road.
“Calling Canada Post is not getting me anywhere,” Ryll added.
Council also passed a motion to advise Canada Post to continue to consult with residents on determining the safest and accessible locations for community mailboxes.