Why do some post boxes have narrow apertures?

[Simon2012]

My local post box seems to have been sized so that anything wider than a normal letter won't go in. Other post boxes are much wider and allow for an A4 sized envelope. I'm in a town and I'm on a modern housing estate so can't understand why this might be. What it means is I have to walk an extra 15 minutes to the next post box whenever I have anything bigger than a standard envelope.

Is there some sort of logical reason for this?

[TeeferTiger]

My local post box seems to have been sized so that anything wider than a normal letter won't go in. Other post boxes are much wider and allow for an A4 sized envelope. I'm in a town and I'm on a modern housing estate so can't understand why this might be. What it means is I have to walk an extra 15 minutes to the next post box whenever I have anything bigger than a standard envelope.

Is there some sort of logical reason for this?

Because they're either old or aren't really suitable for large letters to be posted into. If you fold the letter over and stick it in there regardless, it'll more than likely get stuck halfway down the box, other letters will pile on top and make it difficult to empty for the collections driver. I imagine it's because it's an older style box and if more houses have been built since it was placed there it might need a review. Perhaps get a petition started and send it off to RM HQ...

[Lounge Lizard]

My local post box seems to have been sized so that anything wider than a normal letter won't go in. Other post boxes are much wider and allow for an A4 sized envelope. I'm in a town and I'm on a modern housing estate so can't understand why this might be. What it means is I have to walk an extra 15 minutes to the next post box whenever I have anything bigger than a standard envelope.

Is there some sort of logical reason for this?

Because they're either old or aren't really suitable for large letters to be posted into. If you fold the letter over and stick it in there regardless, it'll more than likely get stuck halfway down the box, other letters will pile on top and make it difficult to empty for the collections driver. I imagine it's because it's an older style box and if more houses have been built since it was placed there it might need a review. Perhaps get a petition started and send it off to RM HQ...

Why a petition before even asking Royal Mail about it ?

[TeeferTiger]

My local post box seems to have been sized so that anything wider than a normal letter won't go in. Other post boxes are much wider and allow for an A4 sized envelope. I'm in a town and I'm on a modern housing estate so can't understand why this might be. What it means is I have to walk an extra 15 minutes to the next post box whenever I have anything bigger than a standard envelope.

Is there some sort of logical reason for this?

Because they're either old or aren't really suitable for large letters to be posted into. If you fold the letter over and stick it in there regardless, it'll more than likely get stuck halfway down the box, other letters will pile on top and make it difficult to empty for the collections driver. I imagine it's because it's an older style box and if more houses have been built since it was placed there it might need a review. Perhaps get a petition started and send it off to RM HQ...

Why a petition before even asking Royal Mail about it ?

It was a bit tongue in cheek...

[Lounge Lizard]

My local post box seems to have been sized so that anything wider than a normal letter won't go in. Other post boxes are much wider and allow for an A4 sized envelope. I'm in a town and I'm on a modern housing estate so can't understand why this might be. What it means is I have to walk an extra 15 minutes to the next post box whenever I have anything bigger than a standard envelope.

Is there some sort of logical reason for this?

(1) Apertures tend to be proportionate to the size of the box.
(2) Older boxes tend to have smaller apertures because letters were smaller many years ago.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I am guessing this may be a VIIR or a GIIR box. Hopefully the OP will tell us.

[fishtank]

(2) Older boxes tend to have smaller apertures because letters were smaller many years ago.

People were smaller too.

[Lounge Lizard]

I am guessing this may be a VIIR or a GIIR box. Hopefully the OP will tell us.

VR = Victoria, 1837 - 1901
ER = Edward V11, 1902 - 1910
GR = George V, 1910 - 1936
E VIII R = Edward VIII, 1936
G VI R = George VI, 1936 - 1952
E II R = Elizabeth II, 1952 onwards, except Scotland

[mr ford]

do you mean the black plastic slots that are screwed on from inside the box ? to stop fireworks being thrown in ?

[TeeferTiger]

(2) Older boxes tend to have smaller apertures because letters were smaller many years ago.

People were smaller too.

Some people still are Still, all I have to do is the Puss In Boots eyes at a nice tall bloke nearby and they help me reach the stuff on the higher shelves in supermarkets