Failing to deliver but it is still a first class effort

[TrueBlueTerrier]

WITH Christmas over and the new year looming, many frustrated residents are still without messages of goodwill.

This year the Royal Mail faced a massive battle to deliver Christmas cards and presents on time because of chaos caused by bad weather.

So we decided to send 100 letters to residents all over the UK to test Royal Mail’s delivery schedules.

On December 16, the day before the last postal day, we sent out 70 first class letters and 30 second class to addresses in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

And as the results filtered in, the Chronicle found that 12 first class letters failed to reach the addresses in London, Sheffield, Aberdeen, Burton-on-Trent, Boroughbridge, Thirsk and Northern Ireland in time.

A further 11 letters that were posted second class also failed to reach recipients in Sedgefield, Sunderland, parts of County Durham, Darlington, Keswick and Thirsk.

We also found that out of the 70 first class letters, more than 30 arrived at least one day late.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “Royal Mail worked as hard the week before Christmas as they have done over the past four or five weeks to try and deliver everybody’s Christmas mail in time for Christmas.

“The vast majority of Christmas mail was delivered despite the most hostile start to winter weather in the UK in living memory.

“We will continue to deliver any remaining items posted before Christmas as quickly as possible”.

All mail was posted from the Chronicle offices, in Groat Market, Newcastle and some letters addressed to properties in Newcastle and Gateshead received theirs up to three days late.

All letters posted second class arrived at least one day late and many reached addresses as late as Christmas Eve. Some people living in County Durham received their second-class mail before their first.

And all letters posted to Northern Ireland and parts of Aberdeen, in Scotland, are still to receive any letters.

In the week leading up to Christmas, Royal Mail announced up to 14,000 extra delivery rounds across the UK had been put on to deal with the backlog of post.

A further 25,000 extra rounds were also being scheduled before Christmas.

The delivery programme followed a £20m investment to deal with the severe weather conditions.

At the time of the announcement Mark Higson, managing director of Royal Mail, said: “We are planning up to a total of 14,000 – weather permitting – additional delivery rounds on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening.

“We have had postmen and women on the streets for the last two Sundays. Royal Mail is committed to doing everything possible to deliver letters, cards and parcels.”


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[DGP1]

In the week leading up to Christmas, Royal Mail announced up to 14,000 extra delivery rounds across the UK had been put on to deal with the backlog of post.

A further 25,000 extra rounds were also being scheduled before Christmas.

Did anyone see these beasties????? None in my office unless you went out again yourself

[dvbuk55]

In the week leading up to Christmas, Royal Mail announced up to 14,000 extra delivery rounds across the UK had been put on to deal with the backlog of post.

A further 25,000 extra rounds were also being scheduled before Christmas.

Did anyone see these beasties????? None in my office unless you went out again yourself

That was extra rounds of toast for managers..................oh you thought they meant deliveries........stupid boy