Major update on postal issues across Stroud and Dursley areas

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/major-postal- ... 55647.html

AN investigation is set to be launched into postal delivery issues across the district after growing concerns.

MP Simon Opher says he secured a commitment for Royal Mail to look into service problems affecting sorting offices in Stroud and Dursley during a meeting at this week's Labour Party conference.

He said: "One of my most important meetings at this year's Labour Conference was with Royal Mail, to discuss the issues at the Stroud and Dursley sorting offices.

"We pressed the case that local services are worse than in other areas and secured a commitment to a proper local investigation.

"We have to get this sorted - literally."

Mr Opher recently said postal delays were the 'single biggest issue' raised by constituents during the summer, with Cam among the areas most severely affected.

He described the situation as 'untenable' and called for Royal Mail to be returned to public ownership.

This comes as residents and businesses in Cam and Dursley reported weeks-long delays in July that led to missed appointments and late delivery of important documents.

Following conversations with Royal Mail staff, Mr Opher said he was told the disruption was "temporary" and linked to contract changes.

He said: "I have also written to the CEO of Ofcom – asking her to take stronger action to address Royal Mail's unwillingness to acknowledge its own failings, and to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade – asking him to assess whether Ofcom has appropriate powers to address Royal Mail's failings."

While Mr Opher said he recognises the challenges facing Royal Mail, he insisted that change is needed.

He said: "There has to come a time, as it has for the privatised rail and water industries, when we say that enough is enough."

In response, a Royal Mail spokesperson recently said: "We take reports of delayed mail very seriously and know how important it is that customers receive their post on time.

"Our latest reported figures show the vast majority of mail is being delivered on time.

"In the GL postcode area, 84.4 per cent of first class letters were delivered on time. Across the UK, more than 93 per cent of all letters were delivered on time and over 99 per cent within a week, meaning longer delays are rare.

"Our posties are out delivering every day in Cam and Stroud and we continue to work hard to improve performance.

"From time to time, short-term local issues can affect individual routes, and where this happens any mail not delivered that day is prioritised for the next working day."

Are you affected by the postal delays? Email James Felton at james.felton@newsquest.co.uk

Royal Mail is to recruit around 22,000 temporary workers ahead of the busy festive season.

The company said the jobs offer an opportunity for longer-term employment, with seasonal positions often leading to a permanent career.

There are 12,500 mail sorting roles available in England, 1,243 in Scotland, 485 in Northern Ireland and 355 in Wales.

There are also 5,000 delivery and collection roles available across the country and 2,100 temporary truck driver posts.

The temporary positions will be located in parcel hubs and mail centres across the country, with a variety of shifts available.

Royal Mail's chief operating officer, Jamie Stephenson, said: "Christmas is the busiest and most important time of the year for our customers, and we're working hard across every part of our operation to deliver for them.

"While many people start thinking about Christmas as the festive season approaches, we've been planning for it since January.

"From recruiting thousands of seasonal colleagues to strengthening capacity across our network, we're making significant investments to help ensure every card, gift and parcel arrives in time for Christmas."

Royal Mail will be adding to its fleet of 6,000 vehicles with an additional 7,500 hire vans to support this year's seasonal campaign.

[oypostie]

Another gullible one

[Mr Rush]

"We have to get this sorted - literally."

The problem is not one of sortation. It's literally delivery. You'll not see those 22,000 temps in a DO.

While Mr Opher said [...] "There has to come a time, as it has for the privatised rail and water industries, when we say that enough is enough."

If the government has to constantly intervene in the affairs of a designated utility provider to realign their interests with the public instead of those of its private ownership, should the government not be remunerated with a substantial stake? Oh jings, is that what the CWU is suggesting short of full nationalisation: a Public Private Partnership straight out of the Blair-Brown years?