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Find a Post Box

Submitted by: Rob Hall

Describe your idea. How does it work and who does it help?

I travel a lot and can never find a post box in locations I'm not familiar with. I would like an overlay on something like Google Maps to show postboxes. Type in a post code/street name/lat long ref and get the locations dislayed on the map.

What information or services do you need?

Mapping service supporting overlays e.g. Google Maps.
Lat/long of post boxes & post offices

Comments

I've been using an ipod / iphone app called ``UK Postboxes'' http://bit.ly/19kWo9 which does this. It's been great in and around London, and seems to be improving its coverage out here in the sticks rapidly. You can also submit boxes although I haven't done that myself.

I've created a site where people can record post box locations against the Royal Mail PDF, using OpenStreetMap: http://www.dracos.co.uk/play/locating-postboxes/

post box finder defiantly needs some work as i didn't pick up at leased 2 that i know are there, just tried sending me about a mile away !!!!!

Try http://www.postboxuk.com

Browse and add... Includes last pick up times!

I've got the solution for you. PostBoxr is a FREE site that let's users search, browse or contribute by adding their known postboxes to a map, powered by Google Maps. The site has been up and running for a almost a month and the feedback and contribution that has been made so far has been amazing. I'm the creator of it and would love to hear your feedback.
Many Thanks
Matt
http://www.postboxr.co.uk

Websites like Open Street Map (although incomplete) are working towards recording post office/post box locations. The link shown highlights one such box.

The complete source information doesn't actually exist - I filed a Freedom of Information request for it, and got a semi-complete PDF file in return. I reckon it's possible to recontruct a lot of a geo data out it, but Royal Mail don't actually hold all the full set of data.

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/location_of_every_post_box_that

May also be useful to have time of next/ last delivery for each day for each location.

I would love to have such a service available. Does the information source already exist?

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