Post arriving late? Royal Mail blames the volcanic ash

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/local ... _1_3011449" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Royal Mail has blamed volcanic ash for falling short of it’s county target to deliver 91.5 per cent of first class mail the next working day.

Within the NN postcode area, 91.3 per cent of first class stamped and franked mail was delivered the next working day in the three months leading up to early June.

A spokesman for Royal Mail blamed the failure on disruption to the air services caused by ash from the Icelandic volcanic eruption in May as some mail has to travel by air, as well as some operational changes.

Nationwide the company missed its first class target of delivering mail to 93 per cent of recipients the next working day with only 91.4 per cent of mail hitting the deadline.

Royal Mail also failed to hit its second class deadline of delivering 98.4 percent of stamped and franked mail within three working days after posting, against a target of 98.5 per cent.

Despite the overall failings during the spring early indications show the summer figures will be more successful.

First class stamped and franked mail achieved a target-beating 93.1 per cent performance while second class hit an on-target performance of 98.5 per cent.

Mark Higson, Royal Mail’s managing director of modernisation and operations, said: “The most recent above-target results are encouraging and reflect the determination of our postmen and women to deliver the best possible service.

“The operational changes we are making in Royal Mail are the biggest the company has undertaken in living memory. We constantly review the way we modernise to minimise any impact on customers.

“We apologise to any customers for any service which falls below our targets.”

Royal Mail regional operations director for the Midlands Paul Jobling said: “The most recent above-target results are encouraging and reflect the determination of our postmen and women to deliver the best-possible service.”

Christine Browning of Irthlingborough Road, Wellingborough, said: “There is nothing worse than waiting for a letter or a parcel and all efforts should be made to ensure that a first class letter arrives on time. Also people shouldn’t have to pay three or four pounds to ensure that a birthday card is going to get there on the right day.”

[pinstripe]

http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/local ... _1_3011449

Mark Higson, Royal Mail’s managing director of modernisation and operations, said: “The most recent above-target results are encouraging and reflect the determination of our postmen and women to deliver the best possible service.

Royal Mail regional operations director for the Midlands Paul Jobling said: “The most recent above-target results are encouraging and reflect the determination of our postmen and women to deliver the best-possible service.”

See, they are singing from the same hymn sheet.
Or maybe they just can't think for themselves.