Two postboxes covered in black bin bags are set to receive a high-tech upgrade.
The postboxes, located on Fraser Avenue and Capelrig Road in Newton Mearns, were out of service during August.
Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, raised the issue with Royal Mail after it was brought to his attention that the boxes were not in use. Each had been covered with bin bags, with a notice reading: “Out of service: automated system, coming soon.”
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In response, Royal Mail has confirmed that new digital postboxes will be installed at both locations by October, aiming to make it easier for people to send, return and collect parcels.
The upgraded postboxes will include a parcel chute and a solar panel, and will allow residents to send and return labelled parcels up to the size of a shoebox for the first time.
These postboxes are part of a national upgrade, with Royal Mail planning to install 3500 solar-powered digital postboxes across the UK as part of its wider rollout.
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Jackson Carlaw said: “Readily available and easily accessible postboxes remain hugely important for local residents in Newton Mearns.
“It was a concern to learn that the postboxes on Fraser Avenue and Capelrig Road were no longer in use and seemingly without any advance warning for the local community.
“I am pleased to receive confirmation from Royal Mail that both locations will continue to have a postbox, with the new design enabling local people to send and return labelled parcels.
“It is important that the new postboxes are available to use at the earliest possible opportunity – hopefully by the October delivery timescale.
“Since my representation to Royal Mail in August, I am also aware that a number of additional local postboxes have been put out of service.
"As part of the digital rollout, many others in Eastwood are likely to be replaced in the coming weeks and months.”
The Fraser Avenue postbox is located on the odd-numbered side of the street, near its junction with Fruin Avenue.
The Capelrig Road postbox sits directly outside Crookfur Primary School and opposite Eastwood High School.
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