I went down to my local postbox on Saturday morning and there found that the last collection on a Saturday is now 7am, it used to be about 12.30pm. The last collection on a weekday is now 9am, it used to be 5.15pm. These changes it seems having come into effect last week to ‘improve efficiency’. In effect it means that, without getting out very early or traipsing to a Post Office, getting a next day delivery for a 1st class item is now impractical. The sign says that that there is a 4pm collection from the Postbox at Weyhill Road Post Office, that would help except that there is no box at Weyhill Road Post Office. I suspect that they are referring to the one at the former one near Burbidges about 500metres away that closed last year.

Rather interestingly the slot-in day indicator said (next collection) TUE so it will be three days before my letter (fortunately 2nd class) is picked up. It all rather suggests that postboxes are now to be emptied by the deliverers on their rounds. Efficiency for them possibly, benefit for the customer - extremely negative, just another step in the downward spiral of Royal Mail.

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