Royal Mail Post Boxes - A Joint Policy Statement by Royal Mail and Historic England - A Joint Policy Statement by Royal ...
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Royal Mail Post Boxes A Joint Policy Statement by Royal Mail and Historic England In consultation with the Letter Box Study Group and The Postal Museum
Notice to the public on the first use of pillar boxes by the British Post Office, Jersey Times, November 1852, POST
118/2021. Copyright The British Postal Museum & Archive, 2015
Front cover: (Top left) Victorian ‘fluted’ pillar box, near Bournemouth, with a vertical posting aperture seen
in some early boxes.
(Top right) A classic ER wall box and young post box enthusiast
(Bottom) Manufacture of cast iron post boxes at Machan Engineering in Falkirk, Scotland (picture by Getty Images)
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“ A Royal Mail post box stands within half a mile of over
98% of the UK population. They are as familiar as they are
practically useful. They also represent the living history of
communication, which forms such an important aspect of our
daily lives, as well as engineering, design and manufacturing.
There are around 115,500 pillar, wall, and lamp boxes across
the UK. Some post boxes are rarer than others and some
have very special places in our heritage. Some boxes have
deep connections to prominent people and places. Each has
a story to tell and many have particular meaning for local
communities. They are also an icon of the UK’s postal system
recognised around the world.
In 2002, English Heritage and Royal Mail, with the approval of
the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, agreed a joint
policy for the retention and conservation of Royal Mail post
boxes. Since the joint policy was introduced, new challenges
and developments have led us to review it. These include
changes at both Royal Mail and Historic England (formerly
English Heritage), and in legislation and regulation.
We have now formally renewed and updated the policy,
after consultation with The Postal Museum and the Letter
Box Study Group. The new policy confirms our commitment
to the conservation of the historic character and diversity
of post boxes.
Our renewed policy sets out how Royal Mail intends to continue
to manage and conserve the post box estate. The agreement
will be adapted to reflect the individualities of post boxes
across the UK with equivalent joint policies with Historic
Scotland, Historic Wales and Historic Northern Ireland.
We believe this policy will help ensure the preservation of
”
post boxes for future generations.
Sue Whalley, Chief Operations Officer, Royal Mail Group
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive, Historic England
July 2015
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Introduction
Royal Mail post boxes are a cherished feature of the British
street furniture scene. As well as being in daily operational
use for an essential public service, they are national
treasures. Currently there are over 85,000 in England and
115,500 across the UK as a whole. In England, a small
number are listed buildings.
Post boxes make a significant contribution to the character
and appearance of the areas in which they are located. In
2002, English Heritage (now Historic England) and Royal
Mail, with the approval of the Department for Culture,
Media and Sport (DCMS), agreed a joint policy for the
retention and conservation of all Royal Mail post boxes.
After consultation with The Postal Museum (formally
the British Postal Museum & Archive) and the Letter Box
Study Group (LBSG), the parties have decided to renew and 1864 design (later adapted) by J.W. Penfold
for a standard pillar box for the whole country.
update the policy. Many post boxes are now regarded as POST 30/173B. ©Royal Mail, 2015, courtesy of
‘undesignated heritage assets’ and some of the oldest and the British Postal Museum & Archive
rarest have been given ‘designated heritage asset’ status beginnings, boxes have usually
by listing. carried the insignia, or cipher, of
the monarch reigning at the time
The Government’s planning policy, the National Planning of placement.
Policy Guidance 2012, stresses the desirability of retaining
More than 60% of current British
undesignated heritage assets where appropriate. Good post boxes carry the EIIR mark of
practice is moving towards managing heritage assets by Queen Elizabeth II or a Scottish
agreement between owners and planning authority, as crown. Boxes from the reign of
encouraged by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act George V account for about 15%
of the total. There are smaller
2013. This document sets out how Royal Mail intends to
numbers, in descending order, of
do this. boxes from the reigns of George
VI, Victoria, and Edward VII. The
Letter Box Study Group has
identified 171 boxes surviving
Post Boxes – a brief history from the short 1936 reign of
Edward VIII.
The roadside post box was where stamped letters could be Aside from the monarchical
introduced in Britain following deposited. insignia, there have been various
the 1840 postal reform which mostly evolutionary changes in
The novelist Anthony Trollope,
provided for universal affordable the design and manufacture of
a General Post Office (GPO) post boxes. Some of the first post
postage. New adhesive stamps official sent to Jersey to make
made pre-payment of postage boxes were hexagonal in shape,
recommendations, provided a but a wide variety of designs
easy. However, letters usually solution. He adopted a system quickly appeared. From 1857
had to be taken to the nearest used on the Continent of wall box-type post boxes came
letter receiving office which placing locked cast-iron pillar into use for fixing into existing
could be miles away. This, boxes at the roadside and the walls. In 1859 an improved
together with the growth in provision of regular collection cylindrical design of pillar box
demand for postal services times. His scheme began in the was created for standard use
linked to industrialisation and Channel Islands in 1852 and nationwide. This design had
urbanisation, led to the need for was extended to the mainland its posting aperture positioned
many more convenient places in 1853. Since these Victorian beneath a cap for greater
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Policy Guidance
Statutory Requirements the absence of any agreement,
post boxes installed on private
Royal Mail has a statutory right
property will remain in Royal
to place and retain post boxes
Mail ownership under the terms
in the street under paragraph 1,
of a deemed contractual licence.
Schedule 6 of the Postal Services
Royal Mail can be required, upon
Act 2000. Ownership remains
reasonable notice, to remove the
with Royal Mail. The consent
post box and make good the site.
of the Highway Authority is not
required for the installation • Under the provisions of the
of a post box on the public Postal Services Act 2011, the
highway, but in practice Royal postal services regulator Ofcom
Mail will always liaise with the has decided to place specific
E2R 1990s pillar box and decommissioned Highway Authority and obtain its requirements on Royal Mail
GR wall box. Boxes should be painted black
and sealed if they are taken out of service
clearance for the proposed post in regards to its provision of
but remain in situ, as this one near Bury St box prior to installation. post boxes. Under Designated
Edmunds. Picture by Andrew Young. Universal Service Provision 1.8,
• Planning permission is
protection from rainwater. This Royal Mail is required to provide
not normally required for the
standardised design of 1859 was a post box within half a mile of at
installation of a post box. Post
itself soon followed by a variety least 98% of addresses in the UK.
boxes have deemed planning
of new designs, notably the Royal Mail’s post box network
permission by virtue of the Town
elegant hexagonal box, first seen meets these requirements.
&Country Planning (General
in 1866, with a cap decorated Permitted Development) Order
Listing
with acanthus leaves designed by 1995, as amended.
JW Penfold. In 1972 the Department of the
• A Street Works Licence is
Environment – the government
By the end of the century there not usually required for the
department then dealing with
were over 33,500 post boxes, with installation of a post box as Royal
the national listing process –
many more found throughout the Mail is a statutory undertaker.
recognised that some rare
British Empire.
• On private property, the early examples of pillar-type
In all, the Letter Box Study consent of the site owner post boxes dating from the
Group has identified, described is always required for the period 1852–79, such as
and catalogued around 800 installation of a post box. In hexagonal Penfold post boxes,
different types of post box.
Among other variants are double
aperture oval boxes and wood-
bodied, metal faced wall boxes
commonly placed in the walls
and windows of sub Post Offices.
Other designs have included
rectangular specimens (1968
and 1974) and a distinctively
modern cylindrical pillar box
of 1980. About two dozen
contractors have been engaged
to make post boxes since 1852.
The names – including Carron,
WT Allen, Cochrane, Handyside
and McDowall Steven – can be
seen embossed or otherwise
credited on boxes. New pillar-
type post boxes presently being
produced reflect the design and
engineering patterns that have Michael Williamson, Chairman of the Trollope Society, in Fleet Street, London, to mark the
now served the posting public for bicentenary of novelist Anthony Trollope’s birth and recognise Tollope’s role in introducing pillar
upwards of 150 years. boxes to the UK.
5
were of special architectural or of post boxes that are eligible for Relocation or Removal
historic interest. listing have been included on the
Royal Mail policy is for the
statutory List, and can be found
In addition some wall boxes have retention of all post boxes in
on the National Heritage List for
been included as a result of operational service in their
England. Many local authorities
being part of the listed structure existing positions, unless
compile lists of buildings of local
in which they are set or within circumstances or operational
interest and many more post
the curtilage. About 200 boxes need necessitates their
boxes are included as part of
of various different types are relocation, or removal. Listed
local designation.
listed at present in England. post boxes will only be moved
Many more post boxes are The Importance of Heritage in exceptional circumstances,
included in a conservation area and this will require Listed
Royal Mail and Historic England
or on a ‘Local List’. Building Consent.
are aware that some post boxes
Royal Mail has renewed its have greater historic importance • The relocation of post boxes
policy, which Historic England than others. Three main will normally only be agreed
supports, for the retention of factors determine the heritage if reasonably required by a
all post boxes in operational credentials: age, rarity and highway authority or other site
service at their existing locations, historic or townscape value. The owner, or if relocation is needed
unless certain exceptional earliest boxes deserve special for an important operational
circumstances or operational protection as do boxes which are reason. Operational grounds
need necessitates their either unique or are known to justifying the relocation of a post
relocation or removal. While exist in small numbers. Some box may include cases where
the current Royal Mail policy boxes are historically important changes in the street make it
remains in place, as a general because of the significant part no longer convenient or safe for
rule the Secretary of State for played in the development of the public to use the post box,
Culture, Media and Sport sees post box provision. or where servicing the box is
no reason to revise the current not lawful or safe due to new
The Postal Museum and The
criteria for listing post boxes and traffic regulations or road safety
Letter Box Study Group act as
will not add further post boxes considerations. The closure and
consultants to Royal Mail and
to the List unless exceptional relocation of a post office can
Historic England on heritage
circumstances apply. also sometimes give rise to an
matters. The Postal Museum
Historic England has produced holds the National Collection operational need to relocate a
selection guidance for listing of post boxes which covers post box.
street furniture and the majority many types.
• In the case of post boxes which
are already listed, Listed Building
Consent will be required for any
works of alteration or relocation.
However, where there are sound
reasons for relocating a post box
for its physical protection and an
appropriate new site has been
identified, listed building consent
would normally be approved if
a sound case has been made.
Historic England Designation will
need to be made aware as part of
the process so they can amend
the listing.
• Whether listed or not, if a
post box of historic interest is
removed from its original site
it will, so far as is practicable,
be reinstated within the same
locality. If it is no longer fit for
operational use, it will be offered
Advertising leaflet by James Ludlow for the supply of post boxes for Town Sub-Offices, POST to a local Registered/Accredited
33/1898A. Copyright Royal Mail, 2015, courtesy of the British Postal Museum & Archive museum or other appropriate
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• Wherever practicable, a post or of local historical interest, it
box of any type that has been is Royal Mail policy to leave it in
removed and not immediately situ. Royal Mail will arrange for
relocated will be retained for the aperture to be sealed, for
future operational use, following the box to be painted in a colour
any necessary refurbishment. other than red (normally black);
• A post box will not be disposed and make local arrangements
of if it can be repaired and for ongoing maintenance. These
refurbished so it is fit for future conditions will usually require
operational service. If the agreement by site owners. Royal
condition of the post box is such Mail will ensure that the required
that repair is not practicable consents are obtained, in writing,
and it is not of historic interest, or retain the responsibility itself.
serviceable parts will be • Pouch boxes will no longer be
salvaged for the future repair attached to the exterior of post
of operational post boxes boxes; where this has occurred
where possible. in the past, they will be removed
as soon as practicable.
• Sometimes requests are
VR 1870s wall box. This splendid edifice,
made to Royal Mail from the • If any problems arise in
looking like a wayside shrine, was built by a
local parson. Picture by Martin Robinson. owners of private property regard to individual examples,
for the removal of wall boxes those concerned should contact
local institution, exhibited at installed at their premises. If postbox.appearance@royalmail.
local Royal Mail premises, or the wall box concerned is not com, or write to The National
offered to The Postal Museum; in a listed building nor of local Street Furniture Manager, Royal
or offered as a source of spare historical interest (i.e. not on Mail Group Property, Bletchley
parts to Royal Mail engineers. the local authority’s local list Delivery Office, Dane Road,
In all cases the keys should and not in a conservation area Bletchley, MK1 1AS.
be retained with the box so or World Heritage Site), Royal Unlawful Removal and Damage
wherever possible the lock, as Mail has a legal responsibility
fitted, is retained in operational to carry out its removal within a The unlawful removal or damage
use. In all cases Royal Mail reasonable period. If the wall box of a post box from a community
should prepare appropriate is attached to a listed building or can result in the interruption in
paperwork which identifies structure, listed building consent an essential public service and
the provenance of the box and is required for its removal. If the permanent and irreversible
verifies the legitimate nature of the wall box is a local feature loss of an object that is
its decommissioning.
• Where relocation is proposed,
prior written notification
should always be made to
the conservation officer in
the planning department or
the appropriate contact in the
highways department of the
relevant local authority. This
should ensure that careful
consideration is given to
the need to relocate the box
and assist in identifying an
appropriate new site. The
removal of all post boxes will
be carried out by contractors
appointed by Royal Mail, and not
by any other contractor. Special
care is to be used in removing
cast-iron boxes, which can be
brittle and prone to shatter, to
avoid damage.
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committed such measures below).No variation is allowed,
will also assist investigators to except in very exceptional
identify and trace stolen property circumstances where there are
and potential offenders. genuine historical reasons, such
Those individuals and as the use of bronze-green livery
organisations involved in the for some early boxes, light blue
trade of cultural property should for some airmail boxes, and
be encouraged of the need to the 110 boxes painted gold in
undertake all reasonable checks celebration of the London 2012
to establish provenance and British Olympic and Paralympic
rightful ownership of property champions.
that has come into their • Post boxes will be repainted
possession and control. on a rolling cycle. Each post box
These activities should be will be fully repainted to a high
complemented by highlighting specification. This process will
GR 1930s pillar box. A ‘K4 Vermillion Giant’:
a telephone kiosk, a post box and two stamp high risk locations to local be audited to ensure quality
vending machines combined. This one is in policing teams, crime compliance. Queries, comments
Whitley Bay. Picture by Howard Wilson
investigators and the wider and complaints may be
community, in particular local addressed to the contact points
intrinsically linked to the cultural listed on page 11.
Neighbourhood Watch Schemes.
heritage of the host community.
The delivery of intelligent and • Local circumstances may
Heritage and Cultural Property require some post boxes to be
efficient law enforcement activity
Crime poses a significant threat painted more frequently (e.g.
in financially challenging times
both to the historic environment locations – such as coastal
must focus on ‘collective efficacy’
and to the security of cultural sites – where abnormal levels
- law enforcement professionals
property, including post boxes. of deterioration occur). This
working with local people and
The majority of losses can provision also applies to boxes
partner agencies to protect post
be attributed to road traffic in particularly visible locations,
boxes from the impact of theft
collisions and vandalism. The such as outside major tourist
and criminal damage.
remainder can be attributed to attractions and Royal Mail
unregulated removal and theft. Decoration and Maintenance premises.
In this regard, post boxes can Royal Mail practice remains • All paint must be lead-free
be particularly vulnerable to the same: and of the correct specification
criminal activity where they (Royal Mail red, colour ref no.
• All Royal Mail post boxes will
are located within remote or
be painted in standard red and 538BS381C and Black, colour
isolated rural localities. Given
black livery (see BS for colours ref no. 00E53, BS4800).
the changing profile of this type
of crime, we must be vigilant and
find innovative ways together to
respond to the challenges we
face in seeking to play our part in
conserving our cultural heritage
for future generations.
Crime Prevention Measures
and Enforcement
The prevention of crime will
always be the primary objective
and every opportunity should
be taken to identify potential
high-risk crime locations and to
deploy appropriate preventative
measures and technologies.
These will include forensic
tags, permanent metal marking
systems and electronic tracking.
Gold post box to celebrate Philip Hindes’ Men’s Cycling Team Sprint gold medal at the
In the event that a crime is
London 2012 Olympic Games.
8
• A number of local authorities and Paralympic Games in 2012.
have attempted to apply Many of these have become
unsuitable anti-graffiti finishes tourist attractions in their own
to post boxes. These anti- right. In recognition of the
graffiti coatings are wholly positive public reaction to the
inappropriate for post boxes and gold post box initiative, these
are not permitted. Royal Mail has will be kept gold permanently.
developed its own high-quality Royal Mail has decided to give
anti-graffiti finish, but this is only gold post boxes a plaque, noting
suitable for pouch boxes and new the achievement of the athlete
post boxes. All other post boxes commemorated.
will be painted using lead-free
• In certain cases Royal Mail
gloss paint unless the materials
chooses to install plaques on or
preclude the use of paint or
adjacent to post boxes of special
renders it unnecessary.
interest. Examples include the
• The highlighting of specific first pillar boxes to be installed
features on post boxes, such in London, to celebrate the bi One of the newest design lamp boxes from
as the Royal cipher and crown centenary of Anthony Trollope; Aberbechan. Photo Gerry Cork.
in gold, is not normally allowed and the box at the former home
other than in exceptional of Charles Dickens near Higham, or other appropriate local
circumstances on some pillar Kent. These plaques should be institution, exhibited at local
boxes where there is historical durable, corrosion resistant and Royal Mail premises, or offered
precedence. Where gold well-maintained. On occasion to The Postal Museum.
highlighting is used, it should Royal Mail also places temporary
be applied to the Royal cipher displays on post boxes. • Also of increasing rarity are
and crown only. No other enamel-plated Ludlow type
• Surviving oval enamel Post boxes originally often sited at
graphic elements or wording
Office directions signs and sub-post offices and Town Sub
on the box (e.g. Royal Mail
Airmail signs on the caps Offices. These boxes, and other
or the manufacturer’s name)
of some pillar boxes are similar examples including so-
should be treated in this way.
increasingly rare and normally called carpenters’ boxes, have
Lettering enamel should be used
should be repaired and, where a wooden carcass which are
and covered with a varnish to
practically possible, restored particularly vulnerable when
minimise weathering.
rather than removed. If a disturbed. Special care should be
An exception is to be made in specimen is no longer fit for taken of all Ludlow boxes if they
regard to post boxes officially operational use, it should be have to be removed or taken out
painted gold during the Olympic offered to a local museum of service.
• Robust fault reporting
systems must be put in place
to ensure the speedy repair and
maintenance of post boxes.
• In exceptional circumstances,
special local arrangements may
be necessary for post boxes that
are sited on busy roads where
dirt can accumulate quickly to
be washed regularly to ensure
a smart appearance. These
post boxes have a high visibility
and must be kept as clean as
possible.
• Flyposting and graffiti should
be removed as soon as possible.
Royal Mail will prosecute any
person apprehended defacing,
VR 1855 pillar box. Box Number One, London’s first pillar box, was erected three years
after Trollope adopted the concept from France. Illustrated London News. POST 118/2114. vandalising or otherwise
© The British Postal Museum & Archive, 2015 damaging post boxes.
9
This joint policy statement will serve as a code and guide for Royal Mail staff
responsible for the management and maintenance of the national stock of post boxes.
It will serve as guidance for local authority planning, conservation and highways staff;
for those involved in managing change for the local amenity societies; for interest
groups; and for the general public.
Royal Mail will ensure that all those within its organisation who have responsibilities in
connection with the post box estate are aware of this document and that it forms official
Royal Mail policy. It will be given a permanent home on the Royal Mail website and
drawn to the attention of any contractors or sub-contractors undertaking post box work
as part of the contract.
Third parties – such as local authority planning departments and the National Trust –
will also be apprised. Royal Mail also undertakes to ensure that the policy is brought to
the attention of those who need to be aware of it on a regular basis.
Royal Mail post boxes add richness, colour and historical depth to the street scene and
are so highly regarded that they have become part of the national image. This statement
guarantees a secure long-term future for Royal Mail post boxes of all types.
VR pillar box c1863. The ‘Liverpool Special’ is unique to the city. The local Postmaster had them made to better accept larger volumes of mail,
including newspapers, being posted. Picture by Martin Robinson.
10FURTHER READING FURTHER INFORMATION
The extensive records maintained within The Further information on Royal Mail post boxes
Royal Mail Archive and by The Postal Museum, manufactured and installed from 1852 to the
together with The Directory compiled by the Letter present can be obtained from:
Box Study Group, mean that post boxes are well
documented. Useful further reference works The National Street Furniture Manager
include: Royal Mail Group Property
Bletchley Delivery Office
History Dane Road
The Letter Box: A History of Bletchley MK1 1AS
Post Office Pillar and Wallboxes by Jean Farrugia Tel 07736 787181
(Centaur Press, 1969)
Old Letter Boxes by Martin Robinson (Shire, 2000) British Postal Museum & Archive
Freeling House, Phoenix Place
The Directory by The Letter Box Study Group
Mount Pleasant
The Guide to British Letter Boxes by The Letter London WC1X 0DL
Box Study Group Tel: 020 7239 2570
Pillar Boxes by Jonathan Glancey Web: www.postalheritage.org.uk
(Chatto&Windus, 1990)
Search room open Mon to Fri 9.00 am to 4.15 pm
Street Furniture by Henry Aaron (Shire, 1987) (except Bank Holidays and Christmas week)
Britain’s Post Office: A History of Development
The Postal Museum, due to open in Central London
from the Beginnings to the Present Day by
in 2016, is a new, national attraction revealing five
H Robinson (Oxford University Press, 1953)
centuries of Britain’s social and communications
history through an iconic service.
Policy
To find out more about this major project visit
National Planning Policy Framework and Planning
www.postalmuseum.org
Practice Guidance Department for Communities
and Local Government, 2012& 2014
The Letter Box Study Group
Manual For Streets 1 and 2 Department for
38 Leopold Avenue
Transport and Department for Communities and
Handsworth Wood
Local Government, 200? &
Birmingham B20 1ES
Streets for All: Regional Streetscape Manuals
Email: enquiry0501@lbsg.org
English Heritage, 2000& 2005
Web: www.lbsg.org
Other relevant information can be obtained from:
USEFUL CONTACTS
Historic England Archive
Firefly House
Kemble Drive
Swindon SN2 2EH
Tel: 01793 414779
Email: archive@english-heritage.org.uk
Web: www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/
archives-and-collections/
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
4th Floor, 100 Parliament Street
London, SW1A 2BQ
Tel: 020 7211 6000
Fax: 020 7211 6210
Email: enquiries@culture.gov.uk
Web: www.culture.gov.uk
EviiR 1900s Type A pillar box opposite Brighton’s Royal Pavilion.
Picture by Mike Smith.
11EiiR 1970s pillar boxes. A pair of Type G pillar boxes; a development of an earlier 1968 design of square pillar box by David Mellor. Picture by Simon Vaughan Winter.
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