New postal scheme is 'Park and Loopy'

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 07 Dec 2008, 06:55

http://www.chorley-guardian.co.uk/chorl ... 4756764.jp

Posties in Chorley are up in arms over a new cost-cutting delivery system they feel is denying people a good service.
Chorley sorting office is one of just a few in the North West piloting a new scheme called 'Park and Loop', but the Chorley posties have dubbed it 'Park and Loopy'.

The delivery staff say that the scheme means that parcels are not being delivered as they had been previously, which is already leading to a backlog at what is now coming up to the busiest time of the year.

One, who did not wish to be named, said: "We feel we can't give a good service to the public because we can't deliver their parcels. Those that aren't delivered are left, then another lot comes in and they are beginning to pile up already and the scheme has only been going three weeks. It just isn't working and it will get even worse in the run up to Christmas."

The postal worker explained that under the old system there were postmen and women who delivered mail and those who delivered parcels by van.

Now the van driver takes a postie in the van, drives to an area and they both deliver both the mail and the parcels, then go back to the sorting office.

The worker told the Guardian: "It means we can't do the deliveries on time. It is supposed to be saving money but we are having to do overtime just to clear some of it.

"It doesn't seem fair on the public that this is happening. There is such a backlog already that there are parcels stacked up everywhere and it's just going to get worse."

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: "Chorley delivery office has recently undertaken a review of its operations in some areas, including Adlington, Clayton-le-Woods, Coppull and Euxton.

"Deliveries in these areas now involve postmen and women going out on delivery in pairs and in a van. They park their vehicle in the villages and then complete all their deliveries on foot, allowing them to take larger numbers of parcels and other items of mail without having to return to the delivery office.

"In recent weeks there has been a high level of sickness within the office which has resulted in a number of parcels being delayed slightly, we apologise to customers for the delay and are working to ensure all items are delivered as soon as possible."

Big Daz · Post by **Big Daz** » 07 Dec 2008, 07:33

Starburst making a comeback in all but name, pair me up with the fittest postie in my D.O and soon I will be little Daz

axeman · Post by **axeman** » 07 Dec 2008, 08:38

Like the bit about not returning to the office so what happens to 379 items then ? going against there rules if they leave them in the van overnight + they could be stolen then who'd be held blameworthy ?? etc...............

Post by **dvbuk55** » 07 Dec 2008, 11:58

That must have been a mistake surely, they couldn't take the vehicles home and park them outside their house - what about insurance and safety of the vehicle, days off and sickness - whoever the spokesman was he was obviously flustered.

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 07 Dec 2008, 12:28

"Deliveries in these areas now involve postmen and women going out on delivery in pairs and in a van. They park their vehicle in the villages and then complete all their deliveries on foot, allowing them to take larger numbers of parcels and other items of mail without having to return to the delivery office

That's just 'say anything to try to justify what is happening' rather than what is actually happening. They really need to start training their spokespeople how to talk to the press without making themselves look like fools

Post by **fmrPOSTIE** » 07 Dec 2008, 13:21

Please don't hound me but I thought Starburst was a good idea. With the rationalization of DO's into out of town areas this will probably become the norm (park & loop).

And obviously both posties return to the office once completed??? They can't just bugger off as mentioned above the 739s need returning.

Post by **dvbuk55** » 07 Dec 2008, 13:46

fmrPOSTIE wrote:Please don't hound me but I thought Starburst was a good idea. With the rationalization of DO's into out of town areas this will probably become the norm (park & loop).

And obviously both posties return to the office once completed??? They can't just bugger off as mentioned above the 739s need returning.

No hounding from me - I too thought it was a good idea, and park and loop too - however - the success is in the detail and unfortunately there has, as usual been no attention paid to detail. Rather than softly softly catchee monkey it's full steam ahead and the devil take the hindmost, then the piper has to be paid.

andy g · Post by **andy g** » 07 Dec 2008, 14:42

Under the last sdd revision we created one park and loop duty,this has been running for over 5years now.Guess what it works fine.With careful planning and a duty which you can complete on time they shouln't be any issues.Sorry boys and girls but with Automation around the corner deliveries will be longer and i guess this will be the way forward !!

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 07 Dec 2008, 16:01

We all know that Park&Loop will be badly managed and will turn into a disaster, if they would take the time and engage us rather than just stampeding over us then things would work out better ie. drop one postie off at the start of his delivery with a bag and then the driver drops off the rest of the bags in drop boxes, then the van man goes off and delivers his round and then picks up the foot postie and they both do packets/missorts or whatever is needed to complete the 2 duties.

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 07 Dec 2008, 17:28

BLAME the staff not the system typical royalmail diktat and politic :cfo & :lfo

Post by **dvbuk55** » 07 Dec 2008, 18:29

k979aaa wrote:BLAME the staff not the system typical royalmail diktat and politic :cfo & :lfo

I wouldn't be too hard on Royal Mail - at a recent meeting one of our reps, who has been engaged on park and loop, on its implementation and actually doing it was told by a full time union official that there was no reason for it not to work - despite being told the reasons why it wasn't working - so RM are not totally to blame - our officials need to get a little closer to the sharp end and think about how these agreements are going to be put into practice BEFORE making sweeping agreements that have no substance.

steve86 · Post by **steve86** » 07 Dec 2008, 19:40

we left all large packets in again yesterday and got done 5 mins before our time there just isnt enough time to do everything so people saying there is no reason why it cant work are clearly not doing it i dont care what any union reps say there is far to much work to do and not enough time to do it in.royal mail and the union are living in dreamland the stress in our office is really bad and we start xmas pressure in morning cant wait maybe one or two of the smart ones can come and give us a lift

:lfo :lfo

bogstandard · Post by **bogstandard** » 08 Dec 2008, 10:21

Hold on people, what's the problem ?
park and loop is creating a backlog, which is causing the business to pay out overitime to clear the backlog. if you want o/t its there, if you don't, you work your hours.

I accept that my view may not be popular but i am not convinced with the argument being based on not being able to complete. Book it or go home.

My thoughts are, and although they may be wrong, are that the true reason is not making any or as much time as you used to.

F0zziebear · Post by **F0zziebear** » 08 Dec 2008, 10:58

Crozier promised that it is complete madness to implement operational change in the Autumn in a senior exec. board meeting. I fail to understand why some years later he has allowed this to happen again.

There should be a roadmpa of change and the autumn should be blocked out for things like this, as any slight teething issues (though possibly larger ones in this case) get magnifide due to the increase in volume during this period.

F0zz

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 08 Dec 2008, 16:56

due to the increase in volume during this period.

I knew you'd come around to our way of thinking