Red pillars of the community allowed to rust

sir – There is no shortage of postmen’s rubber bands in this area (Letters, December 23); I pick up about a dozen in my street every week.

There is, however, a more egregious example of Royal Mail’s penny-pinching: the poor maintenance of postboxes. In this area, the pillar boxes have not been repainted for 30 years or more. Their sorry appearance – the rust, grime, peeling paint and lichen growth – reflects badly on the privatised company’s management. I have complained, but to no avail. Stewart J Wild

London N3