Royal Mail customers in Leicestershire warned of delays due to Covid staff issues

[POSTMAN]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news ... ed-6427469

LE postcodes are affected by a backlog at the postal service's South Midlands Mail Centre

Royal Mail customers in Leicestershire are being warned of delays to their post due to problems at sorting centres across the country, it has emerged.

People living in LE postcodes in the city and most of the county are among those affected by a backlog at the postal service's South Midlands Mail Centre, in Northampton.

Some CV postcodes in the south west of the county, such as Market Bosworth, could also be impacted..

The company has issued an update on its website, blaming Covid-related self-isolation, high levels of sick absence, resourcing and other local factors, writes The Express.

However, bosses insist that the service is doing everything possible to ensure letters and parcels are delivered in time.

It follows reports that although delays seen in the run-up to Christmas have now eased, some difficulties persist.

Several other parts of the county are also experiencing issues, the Royal Mail confirmed.

It's update outlines how it used air, rail and road transport to move letters and parcels between its different distribution hubs, mail processing centres and delivery offices across the UK's postal network.

But while the air, rail and road operations are now back on track, problems at the mail centres remain - including that serving the city and county.

According to the Royal Mail, this means that post in our area may be received later than anticipated.

The mail centres affected are listed below.

South Midlands Mail Centre: Some mail posted in other parts of the UK on Friday, due for delivery today to addresses in the CV, LE, MK and NN postcode areas.

Chester Mail Centre: Some mail posted in other parts of the UK on Friday, due for delivery today to addresses in the CH, LL and SY postcode areas.

Birmingham Mail Centre: Some mail posted in other parts of the UK on Friday, due for delivery today to addresses in the B, HR and WR postcode areas.

Warrington Mail Centre: Some mail posted in other parts of the UK on Friday, due for delivery today to addresses in the CW, L, WA and WN postcode areas.

Croydon Mail Centre: Some mail posted in other parts of the UK on Friday, due for delivery today to addresses in the BR, CR, SE and SM postcode areas.

The Royal Mail said that deliveries are operating as normal across most of the country.

"We're sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding," said a spokesperson for the postal service. "We will regularly update customers on the offices most impacted here."

Many customers affected by the delays over the festive period have taken to social media to vent their frustration.


Bethan Redman, posting on Twitter, wrote: "@RoyalMail this really looks like my package has been delivered it's just been thrown somewhere with a load of other packages?

"Where is my package? I've waited nearly three weeks for it."

Katarina Salmon said: "@RoyalMail I’m still waiting to hear back from a missing parcel enquiry. Been four weeks."

Another customer, Tara Atkinson, tweeted: "I can understand there being staff issues, but they need better organisation – even post every few days would be a vast improvement!"