RM denies claims of 'chaotic' delivery service in Epsom

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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

Royal Mail has denied claims that mail is only being delivered every other day due to chaotic management at Epsom sorting office.

An anonymous resident contacted the newsdesk to say a postman admitted to him that post was now only being delivered on alternate days by the East Street sorting office.

Another reader said: “I know a few Epsom post men and they complain the management is poor and the service has gone to pot.

“More bulk mail, longer rounds, longer hours post men bringing mail back day after day."

The Communication Worker's Union blames problems in recent weeks on full time staff not being replaced when they leave and difficulties recruiting casual workers, leaving remaining staff having to cover large rounds with an increasing number of packages in the run-up to Christmas.

Branch secretary, Mark Marcou, said although some deliveries were going out late it was unlikely it had resorted to alternate day deliveries.

He said a meeting had been held on Monday and it was announced that a new manager is being brought in from New Malden with 30 years experience.

He said: “Apparently from tomorrow (Thursday) they are changing the management structure in there.

“I think it’s basically the manager they are putting in there is more experienced and the team he’s going to bring in there is going to drill down to the problems before the traffic does pick up and make sure everything is in place."

The head of PR at Royal Mail brushed off customer complaints received by this newspaper saying: “We are delivering all mail available for delivery to our customers every day and deliveries are going out on time.

“If any customer has an enquiry about the service they are receiving, we would encourage them to contact Royal Mail’s customer service centre on 08457 740 740.”

Angela Mingoia, of West Ewell, said: “For quite a few months now we haven’t had any mail on a Thursday but loads on a Friday.

“We didn’t notice it at first but now we are getting a massive chunk on one day and none the next.

“After a while we realised it wasn’t just a coincidence and it kept happening.”

Others have reported increasingly late deliveries.

Julia Williams, from Epsom, said: “The post seems to be getting later and later.

“I used to know my post man, but I haven't seen him in ages.”

Since 2004 post has been required to arrive by 3pm at the latest in urban areas, and by 4pm in rural areas, however many residents are unaware of this change.

The reduction of standard letters due to an increase in online banking and bills, coupled with an increase in packet mail due to an increase in online shopping has also caused strain with postmen unable to carry as much mail as with them on one round.

New delivery methods are currently being rolled out across the UK with vans and trolleys due to replace bikes and walking rounds to cope with changes to postal traffic.

Many people also assume that when paying extra for a first class stamp the Royal Mail will guarantee next day delivery.

But on its website Royal Mail only says that "first class mail aims to deliver your letter or package the next working day".

Dan Cook, commenting at epsomguardian.co.uk, said: "The days of post arriving before 9am are long gone.

"The mindset of customers needs to change.

"Your post will not be on the doorstep when you wake up - deal with it."

The Epsom Guardian is doing its own checks on postal delivery, sending first class letters to an address in Epsom to see if they arrive the next day.

See next week's paper for the results...

[POSTMAN]

Don't rock the boat Mark.

[noggin1969]

“We are delivering all mail available for delivery to our customers every day and deliveries are going out on time."

[steven100]

Its a surprise to see RM denial.

[ebbzie]

Oh dear it sounds like epsom are getting ................ Watch your backs

[Lounge Lizard]

Epsom. You'd think they'd be delivering the mail like a dose of salts.

[weirdo]

Oh, he won't rock any boats, He's got a sweet liitle number, Mark that is!!!!! , and further more, He's lost his union beliefs and scared s**tless of the DSM. What a Disgrace!

[DirtyHarry]

Aaaaahhh, I see, all an office like Epsom, having had a chaotic system of working forced on them, all they need is........A change of manager.

Something tells me, that once Royal Mail has fooked your office up, they are determined it stays fooked for as long as, errrr, as long as, errrmm, how long's a piece of string?

[Straight4ward]

Perhaps this is progress of sorts Harry.

They gone from blaming us, to blaming the local manager

- - - but they still won't admit that it's the whole poxy system that doesn't work.

No fear of anyone actually responsible for this monumental balls-up 'fessing up.

[forestbodd]

Don't rock the boat Mark.

spot on

[steven100]

Does that mean if the managers is being blamed, does he get promoted or retrained????

[DGP1]

Does that mean if the managers is being blamed, does he get promoted or retrained????

From memory he gets promoted.

[DirtyHarry]

Perhaps this is progress of sorts Harry.

Perhaps. We shall see soon enough, no doubt.