True, I appreciate there is (sometimes hidden) value in releasing these data sets to the public. But I was still annoyed that funding was given to the “where’s my nearest postbox” website idea that won a competition last year. A dedicated website is not necessary and a waste of public money if the data is simply put into the public domain.

I’ve OFTEN wanted access to this data. OK I already know the location of my nearest postbox. But this would be GREAT for when I am on the move in unfamiliar places. Especially with those all-important collection times!

It may escape you, but there are so many unexpected benefits of opening this kind of data. Nicholas is right. Charles quoted a good example in the post (that of travelling salesman efficiencies) – and that’s just one.

Royal Mail are being ridiculous here. Talk about not knowing a good thing when they see it!

It’s like a bank not revealing where its branches are. Or maybe it’s more analogous to cash machines…

What appears to escape you is the entire point of the Free-our-Data campaign. You and I, every citizen of this country owns the Royal Mail, has paid for its creation and upkeep over the years since its foundation. You/we therefore have a right to know where its post boxes are, the locations of postcode boundaries. Ditto, to Ordnance Survey and Met Office etc data for the same reasons.

“What next? Where’s my nearest street light?”

But, if your street light is not working you might like to be able to go to a website and click on a map showing where it is to report the fault, rather than give the LA some vague location.

For once, good on the RM for not releasing that data. It’s a silly idea. What next? Where’s my nearest street light?