More post boxes for Scotland

They'll go in rural areas and places like shopping centres

Post Box on Benbecula
Published 8th Feb 2017

Around 150 new post boxes are to be installed in Scotland by spring this year.

The Royal Mail will focus on rural areas as well as new housing developments and high footfall areas such as train stations and shopping centres which do not current have a post box.

The introduction of the boxes adds to the existing network of 115,300 across the UK.

The first tranche will see around 150 installed in Scotland, 280 in England, 46 in Wales and 280 in Northern Ireland.

Locations will be confirmed later, with further post boxes rolled out over the next two years.

Rob Jenson, Royal Mail operations director, said: "Access to post boxes is very important to our customers. This programme underlines our commitment to them and the universal service.

"The new boxes will benefit rural areas, which have not previously been served by post boxes. We are also installing boxes in urban areas in response to changes in population and in new housing developments throughout the UK.''

Royal Mail said the installation programme comes even though letter volumes have declined and the number of items being posted in post boxes falls.

David Moyes, post policy officer at Citizens Advice Scotland, said: "Easy access to postal services is important for all consumers, and the addition of new post boxes will improve access for many.

"This is particularly welcome in rural areas, where it can be more difficult to access services in general, and where postal services can be particularly vital.''