Post your parcel: Old letter boxes changing in trial in wake of Covid-19

The 6ft wide steel box – twice the size of a standard mail box – will allow the public to post large parcels, which would normally have to be sent via Post Offices.

Royal Mail want to build the parcel box in Walsall town centre so that residents can avoid the trip to the Post Office if they wish, thereby minimising contact with others.

It is part of a trial the postal service is undertaking across the UK with these boxes popping up in a few locations to see if they are successful.

A Royal Mail spokesman said around 1,400 had already been placed around the UK but the roll out had to be stopped, ironically due to social distancing rules, but added they are due to restart again soon.

A proposal to replace a pillar box with a large parcel box outside Royal Mail’s existing delivery office in Darwall Street has been submitted to Walsall Council planners.

If agreed, the steel box – which will be painted ‘Royal Mail red’ would be more than twice the size of traditional pillar boxes.

It will allow parcels up to the size of those with dimensions 45x35x16cm to be posted, along with letters.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Parcel postboxes are designed to offer our customers even more convenience when they are sending parcels.

“We have already introduced over 1,400 parcel postboxes across the UK. We are planning to roll out more.

“During the coronavirus crisis, we have put these plans on hold to protect the health of our installers in line with the need to  take appropriate social distancing measures.

“We are looking to re-start deployment of parcel postboxes later in the year.”

In the application, agents Livermore said: “With the current situation the postal service is now a vital industry helping to deliver necessary supplies as well as our everyday packages that would otherwise be unobtainable, allowing many large as well as small online businesses to remain operational.

“With the installation of these new parcel boxes it would allow more local residents to be able to post parcels without having to come into contact with as many people or travel as far and would reduce the need to handle packages over shop/post office counters.”

Walsall Council’s planning officers are currently considering whether or not to grant the application.