Oxford - SNOW: Royal Mail apology over post delays

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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

ROYAL Mail has apologised to customers in Oxfordshire after deliveries were hit by the weather.

Postal workers said a backlog of mail was building up because postmen have been unable to reach some areas due to icy conditions.

Steve Gill, from the Communication Workers Union (CWU), who works at Royal Mail House delivery office off Oxpens Road in Oxford, said: “Postmen are doing their best in difficult conditions and some are risking their safety to get the mail delivered.

“Some parts of the city like Cumnor Hill have been very difficult to reach because of the ice and there are side streets which have not been gritted by the city council.

“The management is saying that postal workers should take annual leave or a special day without pay if they can’t make it in, but we think that is harsh.”

Staff living in Oxford but working at the Swindon sorting office had been asked to work locally, he said.

Alan Pope, 75, of Kennington Road, Kennington, said on Friday he had received no mail since Tuesday and added: “I phoned customer care and was told the mail was being held back until the weather improved.

“I was a postman for 38 years until I retired 10 years ago and I would walk through snowdrifts. I can understand that rounds take longer in this weather but the postmen could still deliver the mail – the milk and papers have arrived.”

Sue Dakin, a spokesman for Royal Mail, said: “We are attempting to deliver where it is safe to do so, but unfortunately services have been severely disrupted. We would like to apologise to customers.”

Ms Dakin added that when employees were unable to come into work, cases were judged on their merits.

She explained staff were not forced to make deliveries in the snow if they had safety concerns, and were given the option of other duties.

She said: “The health and safety of Royal Mail staff is our number one priority.

“We work closely with our own safety specialists and those of the union to ensure nobody is put at risk.

“We have been keeping mail moving through our network despite the extreme weather conditions, and as mail reaches our delivery offices, our postmen and women have been going out on delivery in very difficult circumstances.

“It is our intention that services will return to normal as quickly as possible.”

[Stormproof]

Alan Pope, 75, of Kennington Road, Kennington, said on Friday he had received no mail since Tuesday and added: “I phoned customer care and was told the mail was being held back until the weather improved.

“I was a postman for 38 years until I retired 10 years ago and I would walk through snowdrifts. I can understand that rounds take longer in this weather but the postmen could still deliver the mail – the milk and papers have arrived.”

Perhaps Alan should go and collect his own mail. and when he gets there tell him how large the rounds are now

[fishtank]

Alan Pope, 75, of Kennington Road, Kennington, said on Friday he had received no mail since Tuesday and added: “I phoned customer care and was told the mail was being held back until the weather improved.

“I was a postman for 38 years until I retired 10 years ago and I would walk through snowdrifts. I can understand that rounds take longer in this weather but the postmen could still deliver the mail – the milk and papers have arrived.”

Perhaps Alan should go and collect his own mail. and when he gets there tell him how large the rounds are now

Give me back the round i had 10 years ago and i would probably walk through snowdrifts too Mr Pope.

[smokerjim]

Yep, if people ask me where their mail is, I tell them that maybe their postman doesn't look forward to walking 6 - 8 miles or more, on snow and ice, often without snow chains - or if they're rural drivers, they don't fancy having an accident and being taken off all driving duties until they can have a 1hr+ driving assessment ( and that depends on how long it takes a manager to arrange )

[dvbuk55]

Lets face it all delivery posties are softies - how do they think the scandinavian postmen manage, postmen in the arctic tundra in Russia and Greenland don't wait for the weather to improve - they'd only be delivering mid July. Just a couple of inches of snow and the whole organisation grinds to a halt

[Midnight+13]

Lets face it all delivery posties are softies - how do they think the scandinavian postmen manage, postmen in the arctic tundra in Russia and Greenland don't wait for the weather to improve - they'd only be delivering mid July. Just a couple of inches of snow and the whole organisation grinds to a halt

Not really very helpful or understanding that.

[fishtank]

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got one dvb

[Stormproof]

I'd be quite happy to go out on delivery with the right equipment, snow chain's/ice spikes for my shoes, winter trousers, winter tyres on the van and a guarantee that I'm not going to be disciplined for an AOD.

[General Mannerheim]

Lets face it all delivery posties are softies - how do they think the scandinavian postmen manage, postmen in the arctic tundra in Russia and Greenland don't wait for the weather to improve - they'd only be delivering mid July. Just a couple of inches of snow and the whole organisation grinds to a halt

In Finland we have proper equipment for the conditions,not sent out with fingerless gloves and a `try your best` and then when you come back with half the round we will give you a bollocking management.

[Fluke]

What we need are more man and wife sledging teams. Like the muppet pair from Lincolnshire.

[dvbuk55]

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got one dvb

I'm surprised it was only the one.

[smokerjim]

What we need are more man and wife sledging teams. Like the muppet pair from Lincolnshire.

I wish you hadn't suggested something so bloody stupid! Now RM will get a couple of Arctic sledges for each DO, throw a few walks on each, then get the huskies ( us! ) to run round and starburst each one! With the duty holder steering for his walk & a lineo sat on the bags with a flask of coffee and a whip

[Fluke]

What we need are more man and wife sledging teams. Like the muppet pair from Lincolnshire.

I wish you hadn't suggested something so bloody stupid! Now RM will get a couple of Arctic sledges for each DO, throw a few walks on each, then get the huskies ( us! ) to run round and starburst each one! With the duty holder steering for his walk & a lineo sat on the bags with a flask of coffee and a whip

[dvbuk55]

What we need are more man and wife sledging teams. Like the muppet pair from Lincolnshire.

I wish you hadn't suggested something so bloody stupid! Now RM will get a couple of Arctic sledges for each DO, throw a few walks on each, then get the huskies ( us! ) to run round and starburst each one! With the duty holder steering for his walk & a lineo sat on the bags with a flask of coffee and a whip

Forget the coffee - when does it start.

[pickaname]

Lets face it all delivery posties are softies - how do they think the scandinavian postmen manage, postmen in the arctic tundra in Russia and Greenland don't wait for the weather to improve - they'd only be delivering mid July. Just a couple of inches of snow and the whole organisation grinds to a halt

Dont worry...you will have your Arctic Russian style postal service very soon when Adam et al force through their changes.

1 delivery per week per address...if youre lucky