Royal Mail under fire as post boxes vanish before Christmas

Everyone has their own traditions at Christmas – watching a favourite festive film, sending cards to loved ones, settling in for the King’s Speech, or adding a knitted Christmassy ‘topper’ to the postbox we all use. But this year, many in Norfolk are wondering whether Royal Mail’s new festive tradition is simply … annoying its customers.

‘Ridiculous’: post boxes taped off across Norfolk

Dozens of post boxes across the county have been suddenly shut or bagged up with no warning as Royal Mail installs its “post boxes of the future”. People without cars, and those with mobility issues, say the closures have left them stranded just days before Christmas.

Marilyn Northwood, 72, from Drayton, said the decision was “ridiculous”, adding: “It is awkward for people like me as I do not drive … no one warned us, and even the post office didn’t seem to know what was going on.” Residents from Gorleston, Taverham, Great Yarmouth and even as far as Derbyshire have lodged complaints with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, worried about the elderly and questioning why the boxes couldn’t remain open until the replacement day. Some boxes have been bagged for weeks.

‘Post boxes of the future’ – but at what cost?

Royal Mail says it is undertaking the biggest upgrade of its post boxes in 175 years. The new units will allow customers to drop off shoebox-sized parcels using a solar-powered barcode scanner that opens a parcel drawer – though the traditional letter slot will remain. But residents like Ms Northwood are unconvinced: “Technology has a habit of going wrong. If they reduce more post boxes or post offices, people with disabilities like myself will find it harder to post their letters.” South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy agreed the timing was poor: “In rural areas like South West Norfolk, we need more services, not less … it is disappointing they would choose December to begin the changeover.”

Royal Mail declined to answer questions about how many post boxes would be closed before Christmas or when affected boxes would reopen.

And if you think that’s bad … spare a thought for Guestwick

While many Norfolk communities are temporarily losing their post boxes, one village hasn’t had one at all for months — and Royal Mail still hasn’t explained why. Guestwick, between Aylsham and Fakenham, has been without a post box since April when thieves stole the village’s last remaining one — the second stolen in two years.

Despite promising a replacement by November, Royal Mail has given no update. To add insult to injury, earlier this month every household received a cheery leaflet encouraging residents to “pop” their Christmas cards into their nearest post box. Judith Wood, a retiree in the village, said the message was “maddening”: “It feels sad and ironic that the Post Office is urging us to use post boxes but not replacing ours. It’s that time of year when we like to send a card, and in our village we cannot.”

Guestwick’s 200 residents, many without cars, must now travel to neighbouring villages or make a six-mile trip to Cawston to post a letter. Broadland councillor Dave Thomas says the missing post box is “affecting everyday life”: “Royal Mail assured us the post box would be replaced by mid-autumn. We are now well beyond that deadline with no communication. Villagers simply want the service they were promised.”

A worrying trend of post box thefts

Guestwick is not alone. Earlier this year, North Norfolk MP Steff Aquarone raised a similar case in Felbrigg, where a stolen post box was not replaced. More than 50 post boxes have been stolen across Norfolk between 2019 and 2024 – around ten every year. Some rare cast iron boxes can sell for up to £12,000 online.

Royal Mail has been approached for comment.

For now, villagers and towns alike are left waiting – for new technology to work smoothly, for stolen post boxes to be restored, and for Royal Mail to recognise how vital these small red pillars are to rural life. With Christmas cards still to be sent and a new year approaching, residents remain hopeful that 2026 brings not just modernisation, but the simple return of a service they can rely on.

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