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Across parts of Darlington, County Durham and the wider region, several of the classic red postboxes have been temporarily taken out of action, leaving residents puzzled at their sudden disappearance at the busiest postal time of the year.
Some of the boxed-up pillars display notices and QR codes explaining the change, while others have been wrapped without any information at all.
The coverings are part of a nationwide trial and rollout of Royal Mail’s so-called “postboxes of the future”, which will allow customers to send and return small parcels, up to the size of a shoebox, directly from a postbox.
The upgrade includes a solar-powered barcode scanner and a drop-down compartment for larger parcels that won’t fit through the traditional letter slot.
The familiar slot will remain for standard letters.
Royal Mail says the new design represents the biggest change to postboxes in 175 years.
A spokesperson previously said: “Our new postboxes of the future offer another convenient way for customers to access Royal Mail’s services, alongside home delivery and collection, customer service points, Post Office branches, lockers and Royal Mail shops.”
Why now and will they reopen before Christmas?
The timing has caused frustration and confusion, with many residents relying on their nearest postbox more than ever in the run-up to Christmas.
Royal Mail has not confirmed when the newly wrapped postboxes in the North East will return to service, or whether the rollout will be completed before Christmas.
Where are they appearing?
Several of the new parcel-ready postboxes have already appeared in Darlington and locations across County Durham, but others remain covered while awaiting installation of the new technology.
You can view all of the changes and locations of the new postboxes here.
Local social media groups have been filled with questions about why once-reliable postboxes have suddenly vanished behind black plastic, particularly those that previously formed part of people’s daily posting routines.
