Parcels force first change in 160 years

PEOPLE tired of trekking to the Post Office to send parcels have new options.

More than 1,000 new ‘parcelboxes’ are being installed across the UK, including more than two dozen in the Kirklees and Calderdale areas.

A total of 128 parcel postboxes have been unveiled in Yorkshire to allow people to post larger items in the same way that letters are today.

The boxes include a wider aperture and secure design to allow pre-paid items, such as the return of clothing bought online, to be posted without the hassle of waiting in a queue at a post office.

The Royal Mail says the launch represents the first major change of use for the postbox since it was introduced 160 years ago.

The launch of parcel postboxes is also one of the biggest innovations in parcels since the launch of Parcel Post in 1883.

The change means that small businesses and marketplace sellers can post pre-paid parcels through securely designed parcel postboxes, in the same way that they currently post a letter.

Customers will also be able to post some return parcels at any time, seven days a week.

A list of the new parcelboxes on Royal Mail’s website shows they are now operating in Huddersfield town centre, Bradley, Brighouse, Honley, Oakes, Aspley, Milnsbridge, Tandem and Dewsbury.

Mark Street, head of campaigns at Royal Mail, said: “The introduction of the first parcel postboxes in Yorkshire means that customers can now send parcels with pre-paid postage and their returns in the same way that they do letters. The new parcel postboxes provide added flexibility to online sellers who might be running a business in their spare time and not keeping regular office hours.”