Wed, 27 Aug 2025

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 Solar-powered postboxes being rolled out across UK

Royal Mail says the revamped design will help it compete in small parcel deliveries.

* Royal Mail is introducing 3,500 solar-powered postboxes across the UK as part of its biggest redesign in 175 years.
* The new design features a grid of dark solar panels and a barcode scanner that opens a drop-down drawer for parcels up to shoebox size.
* The company is struggling with competition from other delivery companies and has been fined millions for failing to meet letter delivery targets.
* The postboxes will be rolled out starting with Edinburgh, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Manchester after a successful pilot in Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
* Customers can use the new service through the Royal Mail app and request proof of posting and tracking.
* The company is expanding its parcel services to make them more convenient for customers, citing the rise of online shopping and click-and-collect services.
* Royal Mail hopes the new postboxes will help it shore up its share of the market against rivals like Evri and Yodel.
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