Swindon - Posties battle through the snow

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news ... _the_snow/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

THOUSANDS of people are still getting their Christmas cards and gifts despite the snow thanks to the dedication of Royal Mail staff in the town.

On the last day for sending first class post, Royal Mail staff are working overtime in order to ensure everyone gets their post in time for Christmas.

Royal Mail is planning evening deliveries to around two million homes in total across the UK this week in addition to the normal Royal Mail deliveries during the day.

Monday, December 13, was the busiest day when around 4.5m items were in the system for Swindon, Oxford and Reading.

The Post Office’s main sorting depot in Dorcan, which came top in the UK for delivering first-class letters and parcels on time in 2006, are working hard to ensure Swindon gets its post and the region has employed 730 extra Christmas staff to cope.

Clive Loveday, 54, is a postman from Old Town, he said: “Swindon is coping well especially with the weather, we haven’t had it too bad, but a lot of it is getting held up elsewhere in the country where the weather is a lot worse.

“If we don’t get the parcels here we can’t get them out to the people in Swindon.

“It would normally be a really busy day for us but it seems quieter probably because of the weather.”

Royal Mail has seen an upward trend in the number of people shopping online and they predict it will handle around 150 million items nationwide ordered online.

Clive added: “During this time of year letters are not so busy because people are tending to send e-mails instead of cards now but parcels have increased a hell of a lot because more people are going online to do their Christmas shopping.”

The weather has played havoc with post across the country, and a spokesman for Royal Mail said: “The authorities are doing all they can to keep main roads clear but major routes, together with rail and air services across the UK, have been significantly impacted by heavy snowfalls in the last few days.

“This disruption has had an impact on Royal Mail, along with many other delivery providers.

“Royal Mail remains committed to delivering on behalf of its customers and is doing everything possible to deliver letters, cards and parcels on behalf of its customers.”

Recommended UK last posting dates: First Class: today Special Delivery: Thursday December 23

[subbie]

>>>“Royal Mail remains committed to delivering on behalf of its customers and is doing everything possible to deliver letters, cards and parcels on behalf of its customers.”<<<<

By taking all the Postman on collection duties off and putting them on deliveries, leaving the Sub PO's overflowing with mail.

Thank god for the elasticated sided Sub PO.

Subbie

[Wessex]

I havent sent one email instead of a xmas card this year,you cant hang an email above the mantlepiece can you?, although I suppose you can download photos to a digital photo frame if you have one.

[maisymoo04]

boxes were empty today,everyones stopped flappin i think.or as royal mail spokesperson would say MAIL VOLUMES OUR DROPPIN,ye right