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<p> </p><p>Providing Royal Mail maintains its network of access points in accordance
with the framework set by Ofcom, the postal regulator, decisions relating to local
post boxes are made on operational grounds by Royal Mail’s management. The company’s
decisions are not subject to a consultation procedure though it does have a system
of notifying and advising customers where the removal or relocation of a post box
is considered necessary.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Following a consultation last
year, Ofcom enhanced regulatory protection to cover all UK addresses. This was based
on extensive market research to inform its understanding of the reasonable needs of
postal users. Royal Mail is now required to ensure that there is a post box within
0.5 miles of at least 98% of delivery points (i.e. addresses) nationally; and for
the remaining 2% of delivery points, Royal Mail must provide or procure the provision
of access to the universal service by other means (for example, collection on delivery
from very remote or isolated locations such as farmhouses) to meet the reasonable
needs of users. Ofcom monitors Royal Mail’s national provision of access under this
framework.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Royal Mail is currently exceeding the agreed
level of provision on a national basis.</p><p> </p>
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