Royal Mail blames weather issues as concerns raised over ‘significant postal delays’ in Derry
Royal Mail has blamed weather conditions for delays in delivering letters across Derry this week.
Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said he was deeply concerned at reports that Royal Mail is prioritising Track 24 packages with letters, including health appointments, becoming subject to significant delays in every area of the city.
Mr Eastwood said that severe staff shortages and a culture of ‘cost saving’ have affected service delivery.
Royal Mail said “recent adverse weather has resulted in challenging driving conditions and affected deliveries”, but insisted it was committed to ensuring speedy service.
Mr Eastwood expressed concerns on Thursday afternoon.
“My office has been in touch with people across the city currently experiencing significant delays in the delivery of important letters from Royal Mail,” the SDLP MP said.
“These will include letters about hospital appointments, tax and vehicle testing requirements and information from public bodies. It is totally unacceptable.
“We have been speaking directly with staff at Royal Mail who are being pushed to the limit but as a result of new policies prioritising the delivery of Track 24 packages over letter delivery, find themselves falling far behind and missing key duties to communities across the city.”
He added: “I am concerned by reports of a ‘cost saving challenge’ to sorting offices from Royal Mail which appears to have put an end to overtime payments, sick cover and the use of temporary, casual or agency staff that has made the situation far worse.
"With the current spate of bad weather and sickness absence because of the flu, this is a very bad situation.
“I am in touch with senior staff at Royal Mail to underscore how serious this situation is, particularly for people who rely on the post for access to public services. The matter needs to be addressed and quickly.”
In response, Royal Mail said it is committed to ensuring deliveries to residents throughout Derry are made on time, this is the case for the vast majority.
"When a delay occurs we implement measures to keep deliveries moving and delays kept to a minimum,” a spokesperson added.
"Recent adverse weather has resulted in challenging driving conditions and affected deliveries in Derry. We thank customers for their patience while we address this issue.”
On the issue of overtime, Royal Mail commented: “January is one of our quietest months, there is far less demand as fewer people are sending parcels and letters.
"For that reason, it makes sense as a business to adjust our use of overtime where necessary. There is no ban or end on overtime.
“There is also no end to sick cover and we use temporary, casual or agency staff where necessary in our operation.”
When it comes to prioritisation of mail, Royal Mail said it treats "all items the same”.
A spokesperson continued: “However, at exceptionally busy periods, like Christmas, it may be logistically necessary to clear parcels from our delivery offices first.
"As you’ll know, parcels are large, take up far more space than letters, and their sheer number during the festive season means they can block walkways and present a health and safety risk.
“Removing them first allows all mail to keep moving, including letters, and is a necessary part of our contingency planning.
“It also helps to keep in mind that many delivery offices were built at a time when parcel deliveries were far fewer and online shopping was non-existent, which means they were built smaller which may increase the need to remove parcels first, to limit this health and safety risk.”
Royal Mail accepted that NHS letters “has been an issue previously”, but added, “we are now in a much stronger position”.