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The postal company confirmed earlier this year that it would be introducing 3,500 new ‘automated’ post boxes across the UK, changing the red pillar boxes that have stood in Britain for nearly two centuries.
Now, the first of the new post boxes are arriving in Swindon.
Concerns were originally raised by residents when several post boxes across the town were found covered in black tape and “unusable” during Royal Mail’s busiest time of the year.
The new “automated system” will include a barcode scanner for tracked items, solar panels with battery backup, proof of posting through the app, and a wider slot for small parcels.
News of the unusual upgrade sparked a heated debate in the comments.
Emily Gonzales said: “Nothing ‘royal’ about them anymore. Fully private company now. And useless! I’ve been left with no bank card thanks to them!”
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Jan Andersen-Page said: “What a totally stupid time of the year to tape off all these post boxes! Where are their brains?”
Allison Bucknell said: “That’s going to mess things up for the knitters and crocheters.”
Marilyn Beale replied: “Exactly what I said this morning, if I’m going to get that topper done, I had better hurry up.”
Clare McAleavy said: “Some people were talking about making vests instead for the post boxes. So hopefully they can still happens as it so nice to see them.”
Alex Fry: “Why do we need digital post boxes. It’s putting a letter in a box. Not everything needs technology.”
Chan White said: “Absolutely brilliant. Save all that queuing at the post office just for a proof of posting. Can’t wait. Well done Royal Mail.”
Zoe Stevens said: “This definitely doesn’t need changing. Another thing that has gone mad with technology. It always make life more complicated for the public. “All our lovely British traditions are just disappearing – it’s tragic.”
Hannah Edwards said: “Why change something that works perfectly fine.”
Trina Savage said: “Somebody could have told us about this! I still have no idea what is happening, and I’m not the only one! Also it’s been a nightmare trying to simply post a letter for weeks, leading up to the busiest time of the year!”
Christopher Passmore said: “What a waste of money! Not alone the loss of more heritage!”
Rob Charles said: “So the Government wants to monitor who you are posting letters and cards to. All part of digital ID surveillance.”
Mike Bowdery replied: “Nothing to do with digital ID. It will enable people to do things you currently have to visit a post office for.”
Dee Riordan said: “They will get vandalized sad as it seems but it’s a fact.”
Mark Watts-Howell said: “Whose great idea was it to de-commission so many post boxes in North Swindon the main one being the Orbital box at busiest time of year for posting?”
Sally Cole said: “Shan’t use. Postage too expensive and unreliable sadly.”
Stuart Seear said: “Remember when we had 2 to 3 postal deliveries a day? It wasn’t because they had solar powered post boxes.”
Carole Hawkes said: “The post box by Asda north Swindon. Has been vandalised bottom where letters sit was forced open.
“Obviously looking for money. It says it will be replaced it’s a week now not another box in area or is there.”
Rob Charles said: “Another solution to a problem that doesn’t exist!”
Shirley Hadley said: “Why does everything have to be digital?”
Lucy Moore said: “I usually support tech progress but there have been a lot of issues with these.”
Frank Osborne said: “Devon has already got them they will take parcels in a drawer that opens by QR code and letters in slot.”
Sheila Frith said: “Will miss the lovely crocheted tops.”
Cllr Vinay Manro said: “A great idea to enable these post boxes to accept small parcels that are trackable, but the wrong time of year to close multiple post boxes at the busiest posting time of the year.
“I have written to Royal Mail to ask for timelines on these upgrades.
“It seems there are far more closed than I had been able to list following my intitial checks, after residents contacted me.”
Commenter Rogue Rabbit said: “This doesn’t bode well for Royal Mail’s new owners. Taping up post boxes at the busiest posting time of the year is bonkers, unless of course the plan is to reduce volumes to match the downsize in workforce numbers.”
Commenter Jeremiah Trimble said: “Wider letterboxes will probably mean more people using them as trash receptacles; plus it would seem easier for people to put their hands in and steal mail, but maybe there’s some built-in defence against that.
“Presumably we can still put regular stamped letters in the boxes without having to resort to downloading yet another app. Seems like technology overkill to me – I’d rather just have the same old simple boxes that have been used for the last two centuries – but maybe some people will find them useful.”
Commenter Smile2Pete said: “Surely it would have made sense to keep using the old post boxes until the new ones were actually installed, both financially and sensibly.”
