Village to receive ‘post box of the future’ with automated system

A post box is out of service as it is set to be upgraded to a “post box of the future”.

Cellophane has been wrapped around the box on Summerlands Road in Fair Oak ahead an “automated system” being installed, which can be seen in a photo posted by Cllr Steve Broomfield on social media.

The change is being made as Royal Mail rolls out 3,500 solar-powered upgraded boxes across the UK which will allow customers to send and return labelled parcels up to the size of a shoebox.

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Fitted with a solar panel positioned south for optimal sunlight, a barcode scanner will be installed in the box.

How the new “post box of the future” looks.(Image: Royal Mail/PA Wire)

Once scanned, a drop-down drawer will then open to allow parcels bigger than the traditional post box slot to be placed inside.

A separate slot for letters will be included.

Royal Mail argues that this is the biggest redesign of the iconic red post box in its 175 year history after the upgraded system was piloted in Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire earlier this year.