Royal Mail hopes for end to postal problems - Woking

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/20957 ... l_problems" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ROYAL Mail has apologised for the unsettling state of the postal service across Woking as bosses struggle to install a money-saving modernisation plan.

Company bosses have told residents they are "really sorry" for the disruption, which first came to light in April, and have promised improved deliveries across the borough once the new system has been given time to bed in.

Complaints over erratic deliveries, changing postmen and women, and later drop-offs have been recorded across the borough, prompting the company representatives to defend Royal Mail’s plans.

Called to account for the poor level of service, Charanjit "Chas" Basra, delivery sector manager for Woking, and Heulyn Davies, senior external relations manager for England, appeared before a Woking Borough Council (WBC) overview and scrutiny committee on Monday (July 6).

Mr Davies told the meeting he and his colleague had not attended under duress and acknowledged the important service Royal Mail provides.

He said: "We owe it to our customers and our stakeholders when we do make changes to explain these changes.

"To be fair, we weren’t as a business as proactive in the past, we are trying to be far more open and communicative, hence us being here."

Complaints have varied from householders receiving mail every other day to tenants in secure blocks receiving no mail at all for days because postmen could not access trade routes in the afternoons.

Councillor Amanda Coulson, for Goldsworth East, raised the issue of vulnerable people being left without post, a problem which Mr Davies said could be resolved by security pass codes being submitted to Royal Mail.

Mr Basra, who manages operations at the White Rose Lane depot, said measures, including additional temporary staff, were already underway to make the transition as smooth as possible.

He said: "This is a completely different culture we are asking [staff] to change to."

Ironically, a letter sent out to all the residents of Woking, dated June 2011, is yet to land on the doormats of many homes across the borough.

Changes, including the replacement of bicycles with vans, are being made across the company as Royal Mail attempts to compete in the shrinking postal market.

No guarantees were made as to when the disruption will come to an end.

Mr Davies said: "Hopefully the sooner the better, and as soon as practically possible."

A site visit allowing councillors to check up on Royal Mail’s progress will be arranged in the next 6 to 8 weeks, and company bosses agreed to report back for an update in January 2012

[youwot!!!!!]

how many towns and cities across the uk does that make now??????

[POSTMAN]

Get Surrey:What the f**k is going on in Woking?
DSM:We're very sorry.
Get Surrey:Who the f**k are you?
DSM:You can call me Chas.