'Staff Letters' Boxes

A 'Staff Letters' box on the Piccadilly line - photo © Keilyn J. A. Morrissey.

Normally I only spot interesting things when walking the streets of London. 

On this occasion I was travelling on the Piccadilly line when I noticed these boxes, as we stopped at various stations. As the boxes were never opposite where we were sat, it took a while to work out what was written on them. 

Fortunately, as we pulled into one station, the box was almost directly outside the carriage, so Keilyn jumped off the train, took the photo and jumped back on, all with a big grin on her face.

It took a bit of research, when we got home, but theses boxes are exactly what they say they are... Letter boxes for staff.

It turns out that in the 1970s, before instantaneous communication between stations, letters, notices and correspondence were delivered by Postmen who were employed by London Underground. These men went all over the network and, as it was deemed an easy job, was often given to people who had a long-term sickness.

Also, internal mail was carried by train, normally in the care of the guard, who would post the correspondence in to the 'Staff Letters' box, using reusable envelopes. The boxes were strategically installed opposite the guard's position, allowing for quick collections and delivery. This also negated the need for station staff to meet the train.

All mail was taken to the 55 Broadway Mail Room, sometimes requiring staff to meet a train and then get it to a Circle or District line train, for its onward travel to St James's Park station.

Of course, there were other routes for different loads, such as

• 'Lost Property' was taken to Baker Street
• 'Revenue Dispatch Bags' were taken to Edgware Road
• 'Used Tickets' were taken to the Ticket Sorting Office at Harrow-on-the-Hill

As communication systems improved and with the implementation of One Person Operated trains, in 1984, this way of transporting correspondence came to an end. The 'Staff Letters' boxes were left in situ, but were sealed up. 

I am glad that these boxes are still there to be discovered, along London's tube network.