The Postbox of the Future
| Post Box Topper
I love a postbox topper. A post box I pass by on a regular basis nearly always has one on top. This may be the last of it’s kind on this one -
The postbox in question is set to become a “postbox of the future”. The adapted post box will accept both letters and small parcels (up to about shoebox size), using a barcode‑activated drawer instead of just a letter slot. A solar panel on the top of the box powers the barcode scanner and a motorised drop‑down parcel drawer.
Good news for people with parcels to post. Not so good for the sea creatures and perhaps the skilled yarn bomber who creates these. You can’t cover solar panels with a woolly hat.
The BBC reported that one MP said the new boxes “puts yarn‑bombing traditions at risk” in places where a topped box is being replaced with a solar model. Royal Mail told the BBC that, “With 115,000 postboxes across the UK, there are plenty that remain unaltered and that will remain the case in the future.”
As much as I like the toppers I’m on the side of progress. Royal Mail make a fair point. I’m also confident it’s pretty much a given that yarn-bombers are well able to creatively adapt. Be good to see if and how they do.
