Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart secured a “high-level” meeting with senior management of Royal Mail to discuss “unacceptable” postal delays in Banbridge.
While the issue of slow post is not unique to Banbridge, Ms Lockhart explained there was a “very specific local issue” in that the Banbridge delivery office is currently short by more than ten members of staff.
After attending the meeting in London, Ms Lockhart explained that recruitment is “ongoing” and added that she was “hopeful” this would lead to improvements, but that the “staffing gap must be addressed urgently”.
She continued: “A major concern raised on behalf of constituents is the delay in postal letters, particularly hospital appointment letters.
“Royal Mail has confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the Health Trust about improving how this mail is sent.
“At present, much of this correspondence is issued as economy mail, which can sit for a period of time before entering the delivery system, leading to unacceptable delays.
“These delays can have very real consequences for patients. I intend to raise this issue directly with the Health Minister, to ensure that hospital correspondence is sent in a way that reflects its importance and urgency.”
Before Christmas, Ms Lockhart had also raised “wider concerns” regarding postal delays, including late letters and the wider structural changes taking place within Royal Mail.
Of this, she said: “Let me be absolutely clear: this is not a criticism of our posties. I have always been, and remain, fully supportive of the vital work they do.”
Her concerns, she said, are directed at senior management and the “strategic direction” they have taken the business.
“There is no doubt that postal habits have changed,” she continued. “Across the UK, letter volumes have fallen dramatically from around 20 billion letters per year to approximately 6 billion.
“This reflects the shift towards parcels. Royal Mail must adapt to that change, but this cannot be used as an excuse for delayed post.”
Regarding recruitment, contracts and conditions for employees and the treatment of their workforce, Ms Lockhart said she has been “holding Royal Mail’s feet to the fire”, an sentiment that has been spurred along after having the opportunity to meeting many “local posties” and walk with them over Christmas.
Of the local postal worker, she said: “They are deeply committed to their work, but they want senior management to recognise their effort and deliver fairer terms and conditions.”
Overall, Ms Lockhart says she will continue to press Royal Mail, the Health Trust, and the Health Minister until “we see real improvements for postal workers and the public they serve”.
In September, the issue of sluggish post was raised with Armagh I by a rural resident of Co Armagh.
Speaking at the time, she said post has been delivered much less regularly than usual and – when it was delivered – it has been coming in “bundles”, leading her to make the assertion that “there may be some new economic policy” at play.
A Royal Mail spokesperson said at that time: “We always do our utmost to ensure letters and parcels are delivered on time, but recent resourcing challenges at Armagh Delivery Office have an impact on deliveries locally.
“We would reassure residents that mail continues to be delivered at least every other day where there is mail to deliver. We are working hard to improve our service and the team is focused on bringing new staff on board as quickly as possible.”