Echo post test proves positive for Royal Mail

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POST test carried out by the Echo has given the Royal Mail a clean bill of health.

A string of readers have highlighted problems with the post after a shake-up of the service was introduced in the city earlier in the year.

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CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH: Of the 50 letters posted by the Echo, 47 – 94 per cent – arrived at their destination in the city the following day

Some readers complained that their post was sporadic and letters were taking too long too arrive.

Royal Mail apologised for any problems and said the service would settle down.

Reporters from the Echo posted 50 letters at different locations across the city to addresses in Exeter over two consecutive days last week.

Letters were posted with first class stamps during the middle of the day.

The letters were sent out to residential addresses in Heavitree, Wonford, Broadfields and Countess Wear.

Of the 50 letters posted by the Echo, 47 – 94 per cent – arrived at their destination in the city the following day.

Only three of the 50 letters took two days to arrive.

But the test also revealed that most letters were not delivered in the morning.

The majority arrived after midday. And some arrived as late as 2.15pm.

The figures are broadly in line with targets set by Royal Mail for first class delivery.

The Echo has highlighted a string of recent complaints about delayed, inconsistent and incorrect deliveries by Royal Mail.

Ricky Eidam, a retired engineer from Alphington, Exeter, said he used to receive post every day.

But since Royal Mail made changes to the service, he has been getting post just two days a week.

The 65-year-old said: "It's never on a regular basis. Before, it used to come between 9am and 10am, now it's much later – around 2.30pm – and less frequent, and mistakes are being made."

Phyllis Tarling, 83, from St Thomas, Exeter, said: "The postman used to come in the morning but now it's 3.30pm.

"I'm not happy at all. Royal Mail should do something about it."

Royal Mail introduced new delivery methods and adopted revised delivery routes as part of nationwide changes to the postal system in June.

A spokesman told the Echo that changes had recently been introduced to the service.

He said: "There has been some disruption to service while postmen and local managers make final adjustments to the changes.

"We are working to resolve the issues as a matter of priority. We apologise to any customer who has experienced disruption to their service."

If you have experienced a problem with the post call the Echo's newsdesk on 01392 442239.