Postbox Strategy - Clarification on 0.5 mile requirement

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB 734/14 Postbox Strategy - Clarification on the requirement to provide a Postbox within 0.5 miles





No. 734/14



Ref: 532



Date: 17th November 2014









To: Branches with POSTAL Members





Dear Colleagues,



Postbox Strategy - Clarification on the requirement to provide a Postbox within 0.5 miles



Further to previous LTBs regarding the deployment of Postbox Strategy, we have been in discussions with Royal Mail regarding the interpretation of the criteria applicable to the availability of a Postbox within 0.5 miles of 98% of delivery points nationally, and in particular the guidance issued by Ofcom which stated:



"...that this could be interpreted as about 800 metres or a 9-10 minute walk"



It should be noted that this guidance is exactly that - ‘guidance'. It has no regulatory status.



We have therefore agreed the attached Joint Statement to provide clarity on this issue and to bring some pragmatism into local discussions. Where there are Post Boxes in question then each case will be considered on its own merits in line with the Joint Statement.


Branches and CWU Representatives should note that Postbox Strategy is a collection time change and not a location change and the Boxes in question remain in the system albeit they will be cleared at a different time. In essence the Postbox Strategy does not breach the regulations and Royal Mail remains compliant with the Postal Services Act.



Any enquiries to Bob Gibson's Office, quoting reference 532

Email address: hnutley@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Bob Gibson

CWU Assistant Secretary - Outdoor

[pilchard]

National Joint Statement
Post Box Strategy
Clarification on the requirement to provide a postbox within 0.5 miles
The Postal Services Act 2011 and in particular the Regulation of the Provision of Post boxes was updated in March 2013 and states that there should be a Post Box within 0.5 miles by straight line distance of at least 98% of delivery points nationally, and as a guide Ofcom stated that this could be interpreted as about 800 metres or a 9-10 minute walk.
Ofcom have also stated that the straight line methodology has worked under the current system for Post Code Area’s which it covers and the functionality to assess compliance is in place. They expect Royal Mail to take a sensible approach towards the needs of postal users when considering the location of its post boxes.
The Ofcom interpretation of a delivery point is as follows - Delivery points are the points at which a postman or woman delivers post. For example, a block of flats may contain numerous households but if mail is delivered to a central point in that block then that will be regarded as one delivery point.
We recognise that there have been some difficulties in some locations regarding the interpretation of the ‘guidance’ and this joint statement seeks to address those difficulties and provide clarity.
Postbox Strategy is a collection time change and not a location change, we have therefore agreed that any postbox moving to Collection on Delivery where access to a 0.5 mile postbox is met with a significant geographical constraint e.g. rivers, motorways/dual carriage ways and railway lines without adequate crossing facilities within a reasonable distance, that prevents the 0.5 mile criteria being met, we will in the first instance look to identify an alternative postbox that meets the criteria, or where such provision is not available, we will revert the Post Box in question back to a dedicated collection route cleared from 16:00 onwards.
Where units believe that such cases exist they should raise this with the Lead Collections Planner for the area who will forward this to the Central Collections Programme team for investigation and consideration.
Each case will be considered on its own merits to assess whether access to the 0.5 mile postbox is fair and reasonable. Phase 1 and 2 sign off should still continue whilst this is being considered as any Post Boxes moving back to dedicated routes are not required to be confirmed until phase 3.
Signed…………………………………….. Signed……………………………………..
Kevin Cooper – Royal Mail Bob Gibson – CWU
Date: 12th November 2014