Low Level Letter Boxes - Union Fights Lambeth Council Plans To Install "Mouse-Trap" Letter Plates.

The Union's war against low level letter boxes entered a new battle when it was learned that Lambeth Council had plans to fit new front doors with ground level "mouse-trap" letter boxes on three council estates - the Weir Estate, Ethelred Estate and Thornton Gardens Estate.

The Council's plans came to light when a former CWU Safety Rep living in the area raised objections locally only to be forcefully rebutted by Council Officials.

CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer Dave Joyce took the matter up with senior council officials and leaders of the Council's ruling Labour Group - leader Cllr Steve Reed and Housing & Regeneration Chair Cllr Lib Peck amongst others.

Dave also raised the matter with various government departments and the HSE as the Union became embroiled in arguments with Lambeth Council and its Technical and Legal advisors.

Dave Joyce insisted that the Council scrap their plans to install hundreds of low level letter boxes and instead comply with the European Standard (EN 13724) covering Private Letter Boxes which for ergonomic and safety reasons specifies the height, positioning and design of "letter boxes" in order that the safe delivery of Mail can be made without the risk of injury.

The Council's Legal Technical Advisor countered that he was unaware of any law governing the height of letterboxes and referred to the EU Standard as having only “voluntary status” which presumably left Lambeth in the clear to do as they please in spite of the consequences to Postal Workers backs. 

Dave Joyce hit back telling the Council that the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office assured the CWU that the UK will follow the specifications set out in the BS EN 13724 standard which sets down that the centreline of the Letter Box aperture should be at a height between 700 mm (2 ft 3.5 inches) and 1700 mm (5 ft 7 inches) and said John Prescott at the time, "every one would follow it without the need for regulation".

Finally, In a letter received from Labour Councillor Lib Peck Housing & Regeneration Chair stating that a meeting with stakeholders, ward Councillors, building contractors and building consultants had discussed the Union's concerns regarding the height of the door letter plates on the proposed door replacement work and had agreed to change their plans and raise the letter plate height of 650mm from the bottom of the door. (just short of the EU Standard of 700mm minimum height)

Dave Joyce said "It's a partial victory and although far from ideal, it's certainly better than it was but it still falls short of the ideal height. There'll still be some bending for taller members on delivery to these estates. What this proves is that Councils and developers will ignore standards unless forced to comply by law irrespective of the health and safety implications to Postal Workers which is what we've said all along. Clearly the Deputy Prime Minister was naïve in thinking that voluntary compliance would work and I intend to raise this matter again with the government asking them to revisit the need to consider the question or enshrining BS EN 13724 in to regulations in order to ensure Local Authorities do the right thing".

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