Rugby MP launches online tracker to map out where Royal Mail is ‘failing Rugby residents’

[POSTMAN]

https://rugbyobserver.co.uk/news/mp-lau ... residents/

A MAIL tracker has been launched by Rugby’s MP to map where Royal Mail is ‘failing residents’ across the town.

John Slinger launched the online tracker on his website to identify delivery blackspots and ‘hold Royal Mail to account’ following weeks of postal delays.

The tracker allows residents to report missed deliveries, significant delays and other postal service issues in their area.

The information gathered will help identify patterns and locations of poor performance.

Mr Slinger says he has been contacted by scores of constituents complaining of delayed deliveries, large backlogs of post arriving at once – and, in some cases, no deliveries at all.

In many cases, residents have reported that letters appear to be delivered only when a tracked parcel is being brought to an address.

One constituent did not receive letters relating to his cancer treatment for months.

Another received a bank letter dated June 6 on June 30, alongside a substantial backlog of other correspondence.

The delays have resulted in residents missing appointments and correspondence from banks, the NHS and other organisations.

Mr Slinger said he was particularly concerned at reports relating to the Rugby Talking Newspaper, a charity which sends out audio recordings of local news to the blind or partially-sighted.

Having spoken of the issue in Parliament, the MP raised his concerns with senior Royal Mail executives at the Labour Party Conference, highlighting the specific issues surrounding Talking Newspaper deliveries.

Royal Mail then circulated a memo to the local sorting office, reminding staff of their obligation to handle articles for the blind as first class post.

Mr Slinger said: “I am asking residents to help me help them. By reporting issues with their post and deliveries, I can show Royal Mail exactly where it needs to improve.

“I think the case of the gentleman in Bulkington who did not receive letters relating to his cancer treatment for months is absolutely outrageous. Royal Mail should be doing everything in its power to put situations like this right.

“I am particularly concerned about reports from Rugby Talking Newspaper. They have found that items are not always being delivered as First Class mail, despite Royal Mail’s own obligations.”

He said he had been assured by Royal Mail executives that a new system was being introduced in Rugby which had improved services when trialled elsewhere.

He added: “I told them that this is welcome and that I will be monitoring this closely, which is why the tracker system is important and I hope that my constituents use it.

“I hope this will ensure these recordings are delivered on time in future.”

A Royal Mail spokesperson said over 82 per cent of First Class mail was delivered on time in the wider CV postcode area, a 13 per cent improvement on the previous quarter.

They added: “We acknowledge there is more to do and published our Improvement Plan in April which included a commitment to invest £500million over five years.

“We are well over halfway through the rollout of our new delivery model across our 1,200 delivery offices which is continuing to see positive results – delivering to 98 per cent of addresses every day, up from 91 per cent before rollout.

“We expect our service levels to improve further as deployment continues.”

Visit http://www.john-slinger.co.uk/news/royal-mail to report problems with the postal service in Rugby.