THE postal service is set to see some major changes.
Nick Landon, chief customer officer at Royal Mail, has announced plans for 'urgent reform'.
It comes following months of delays, with residents in Winsford frequently not receiving important notices of things such as hospital appointments and jury service until it is too late.
In a letter addressed to customers, Mr Landon said: “At Royal Mail, we consider it a privilege to serve every household and business in the UK.
“For 500 years, our posties have walked up and down our streets, day in, day out, to deliver for our customers.
“But the way we all use the post has changed dramatically.
“Without urgent reform, there is real risk that the one-price-goes-anywhere Universal Service, the legal requirement for Royal Mail to deliver to the UK’s 32 million addresses six days a week, will not survive.
“We have published our proposal for how the Universal Service should change in a way that protects the things we know you value.”
Mr Landon explained that in 2004/05, Royal Mail posted 20 billion letters.
However, in 2022/23 this figure had dropped to seven billion with the average address now receiving just four letters a week.
As such, he says, Royal Mail is facing 'huge financial pressure', losing £419 million in 2023.
As part of the proposal, all non-First Class letter deliveries – Second Class and bulk business mail – would move to every other weekday.
Meanwhile, Royal Mail would work with the NHS to ensure greater reliability for time-sensitive medical letters.
They will also look to invest in products and services that help businesses grow and customers stay connected to their loved ones.
Mr Landon added: “If we want to save the Universal Service, we have to change the Universal Service.
“We’re doing everything we can to transform so that we can serve you better.
“And now we need Ofcom, the regulator, to do their bit and implement the change.”
The postal delays in Winsford were put in the national spotlight in February when it became the subject of a BBC Panorama episode.
Among those to have been affected is Chris Brennan, who says it has been more than a week since he received Royal Mail post of any kind.
This is despite having overdue bills and bank statements, as well as a subscription to a weekly publication.
Reflecting on the reform plans, he said: “I think the proposals are logical and would give us a far better service than we get now.
“The current deliveries are unpredictable and infrequent."