Belief that extra RM workers are 'getting lost' in Dundee

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Belief that extra Royal Mail workers are 'getting lost' in Dundee

Residents frustrated by a breakdown in Dundee East delivery office's new system have hit out at Royal Mail drafting in postmen unfamiliar with the patch.

The postal authority also appears to be turning away locals who know the territory and have offered to help clear the backlog of undelivered mail.

Steve and Doreen Hainey run their own business from home in Broughty Ferry's Wyvis Road and depend on payments arriving in the post.

Like those to many residents in the DD4 and DD5 postcode areas, their mail deliveries have been disrupted since Royal Mail introduced the new system, dubbed The Way Forward.

Letters and parcels have been building up in the depot since the start of this month and people been without mail for several days at a time.

As complaints flooded in, Royal Mail assured customers it was doing everything in its power to clear the backlog, drafting in extra workers and pulling extended shifts.

However, the Haineys believe that postal workers who do not know the area may simply be getting lost.

Mr Hainey said, "This experiment they have seems to have been a disaster. My wife has even been asked by postmen where certain addresses are on Wyvis Road. They are through from Glasgow and appear to be getting lost."

Postal reliance

He said that, as the couple run Cleaning Interiors Ltd from home, they rely on cheques in the post.

"My wife is also waiting for something she knew was posted first class on the 17th," he said. "All we got today was one invitation for her from a shop in Broughty Ferry inviting her to an event tomorrow afternoon. It was posted first-class on November 17."

Another letter arrived for Mr Hainey last week from Ninewells Hospital, asking him to come in for an appointment the same afternoon. He received the letter at 2pm and had to dash to the hospital for 3.40pm.

The husband of Mrs Hainey's friend was made redundant recently, so he applied to the postal office to help out.

"He was just offering to help clear the backlog over Christmas but he didn't even get an acknowledgement," she said. "I very much doubt this is the last week it's (the delivery problems) going to happen. It's just a ridiculous situation."

Mr Hainey also criticised the customer service number Royal Mail directed customers to in Wednesday's Courier. He said it has a recorded message and no one to address complaints to.

Councillor Brian Gordon, who represents the north east ward, was also critical of the delays in deliveries. He said, "I think it's an absolute scandal that the mail can be treated in this way.

"Royal Mail should not be testing out new equipment. It's a shambles and I feel for people waiting on prescriptions or crisis money."

Ian Milne from the DD4 postcode area added, "I have been waiting for a recorded delivery package, which you can track online, which was sent to me first-class on the 11th November — almost two weeks ago.

"I log on to the Royal mail website almost daily and fill in the complaints procedure but still nothing, and, believe me, I'm a good complainer."

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said the depot extra workers are being given help. She remained confident the problems would be resolved by the end of the week.

She said, "Royal Mail in Dundee East is working through the issues identified in the office and we are working hard to resolve these issues. Every postman or woman has been out on delivery and we have drafted in extra Scottish staff to help with this.

"We expect the backlog of mail to be cleared by the end of this week and we have robust plans in place for Christmas. All Royal Mail staff are fully trained and now carry Personal Digital Assistant devices which are equipped with satellite navigation.

"We apologise to our customers affected and would ask any customer who is concerned about a particular item of mail to contact customer services on 08457 740740."

[plainpat]

You forgot the link TBT

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/Dundee ... undee.html

[POSTMAN]

Cheers plainpat,ere teebs,lucky no defcon up there.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Cheers plainpat,ere teebs,lucky no defcon up there.

defcon in scotland - I thougt that was a standard tactic of the conservatives anywhere.

[POSTMAN]

Cheers plainpat,ere teebs,lucky no defcon up there.

defcon in scotland - I thougt that was a standard tactic of the conservatives anywhere.

Touché