Parcel moans lead to new mail office plan

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.northantset.co.uk/kettering/ ... 3878865.jp

By Becky Inman
Kettering reporter
A NEW mail collection centre could be set up after Kettering customers complained of hour-long queues to collect their post.
Two sites on Telford Way Industrial Estate, one on Northampton Road and another on Pytchley Road are being considered for a replacement to the current Kettering collection centre on Wadcroft.

The proposal follows customer complaints during the Christmas period, when queues stretched back to the public car park.

A Royal Mail worker, who did not want to be named, said staff had been told of the move and assured the 170 jobs providing this service would be safe.

Customers who use the collection office are praising the plan.

Andrew Ronson of Pipewell Road, Desborough, said: "I think a move away from the town centre would be a great idea.

"I have been at work when a parcel has been delivered and this means I have to go to Kettering town centre and pay for parking, then queue in a tiny room, where I can't even see the person's face who is serving me."

Elaine Simmons' husband Peter was forced to queue for more than an hour before Christmas and eventually left the queue without his parcel.

She said: "I would imagine anything will be an improvement on the current office. The new office would need to have a bigger waiting area so people aren't stood outside in inclement weather.

"You can see the customers and staff getting fed up with the current situation.

"The new site would also need to be more friendly for disabled people as you need to go through a number of doors and up some stairs meaning it is almost impossible for people in wheelchairs to get there."

Royal Mail spokesman Richard
Hall said: "We are looking into a number of options in Kettering to help us to improve service and efficiency for our customers.

"However these are in the very early stages and we will only act when we are satisfied the best options for our staff and customers have been discovered."

In 2007, an average of 7.2 million pieces of mail were posted each week, and this number is expected to rise in 2008.

During the busiest part of the Christmas period, delivery office manager Simon Kirkland wrote a letter to customers asking them to be patient over delays which were due in part to the premises. It said: "During peak times delays may occur in you receiving your items from this caller facility.

"This is due to extremely high volumes and an inadequate building.
"I apologise for any delay and ask you to be patient with our staff who are doing their best under difficult circumstances."

The full article contains 453 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
Last Updated: 14 March 2008 9:10 AM

[DGP1]

In 2007, an average of 7.2 million pieces of mail were posted each week, and this number is expected to rise in 2008.

Somebody screwed up, obviously they didn't get the memo telling them that mail volumes are down