MP's bid to ban low level letterboxes gets initial stamp of approval

A Chelmsford Conservative MP has called for a ban on low level letterboxes on newproperties to help postal workers avoid back and pet injuries.

Vicky Ford called on the Government to amend building regulations to require letterboxes in new buildings to be positioned above a certain height.

Speaking in the Commons, the MP for Chelmsford said:

Postmen and women she said, were now delivering fewer letters but many more parcels due to people ordering goods online. Low level letterboxes she said put a strain on the deliverers' backs.

She added that Low letterboxes are also associated with an increased likelihood from injury from dogs or cats.

"Each week across the UK there are on average 44 dog attacks on postal workers and 50 attacks from cats every year," she said.

Mrs Ford joked: "We all do need to declare a bit of an interest, wepoliticians have been known to deliver an occasional leaflet ourselves maybe."

Mrs Ford said there was a European standard suggesting a minimum height of 70cm, joking:

The MP's Low-Level Letter Boxes (Prohibition) Bill was listed for a secondreading on Friday March 8 but is unlikely to become law due to a lack ofparliamentary time