Royal Mail has issued a caution regarding potential delays in service across more than 100 UK postcodes. The postal service identified 38 delivery offices that may experience disruptions due to severe weather conditions and higher-than-usual employee absences. These offices collectively serve around 100 postcodes throughout the country.
A company spokesperson attributed the short-term disruptions to adverse weather conditions, particularly the impact of storms Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra in January, combined with increased sick leave among staff. Royal Mail emphasized that while most mail is delivered as scheduled, they acknowledge the frustration customers experience when deliveries are delayed.
In response to affected routes, the company stated that it will deploy additional support to expedite the restoration of deliveries. This announcement follows a BBC report revealing instances where letters were reportedly held in Royal Mail offices for extended periods, with claims that packages were given priority over letters in certain depots.
Royal Mail highlighted the surge in parcel deliveries due to the rise in online shopping, while the volume of addressed letters within its network has declined. With a commitment to serving nearly two million postcodes, Royal Mail aims to uphold its six-day mail delivery schedule and ensure timely delivery of both letters and parcels.
Despite receiving approval from the regulator Ofcom to eliminate second-class letter deliveries on Saturdays and transition to every other weekday service, Royal Mail’s nationwide rollout of this change has been postponed due to unresolved negotiations with the Communication Workers Union.