Online courier petition attracts 3,000 signatories

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Articl ... 4?UserKey=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A petition calling for an inquiry into claims courier companies are charging inflated prices for packages to the Highlands and Moray has attracted 3,000 names, making it one of the best-supported campaigns on the Downing Street website.

The online petition’s creator, Nairn businessman Terence Watson, hopes the response will prompt the UK Government to investigate “unscrupulous” charges levied by couriers and suppliers.

Because of the number of people who have signed the petition on number10.gov.uk, Gordon Brown or one of his ministers must give Mr Watson an official response after the deadline for names closes on Friday.

Mr Watson, who runs a photographic and design services business at Nairn, said: “I'm surprised that so many people have signed the petition, but it shows that it is something that has an impact on people in the north of Scotland.”

The petition has attracted a number of high-profile backers, including north MPs Angus Robertson and Danny Alexander, and MSPs Jamie Stone and Richard Lochhead.

Mr Watson’s e-petition follows a similar one lodged last year by Chris Ferne, of Struie Road, Dornoch, on the Scottish Government website, which attracted 1,257 signatures.

Mr Watson, of Mannachie Grove, Forres, revealed the Scottish Government had said “there was no case to answer”, however.

He said governments had to act because couriers and suppliers were continuing to impose extra charges for deliveries to the north.

He said: “I wanted to buy a hot laminator, but was told that there would be an extra £15 charge for delivery, so I thought, you're not getting my custom.

“I’m not against them saying it’s farther away and it could mean an extra charge, but at the moment companies are taking advantage.”

Mr Watson’s petition argues that because the “Scottish Highlands now has communications links of a standard similar to, if not better than, other UK regions”, delivery charges should be standardised.

While Royal Mail has to provide a UK-wide postal service at an affordable flat rate, private couriers are not bound by the same obligation and it is not uncommon for companies to levy an additional charge.

Mr Watson’s petition, which had been signed by 2,901 people as of yesterday, is currently the 51st most popular petition out of 4,650 on the website. People interested in backing the campaign have until Friday to add their names at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/highlanddelivery" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

[Phantom]

What do people expect??? a private company to offer a full service? cheaper???? no no no

[not me]

you can see the issue
for example if you live 2 miles past the 'mainland' cut off point you could pay 3 times as much for those 2 miles

[DGP1]

It's exactly the same over here, we get charged the same rate as Highlands and Islands by everyone except RM (even Parcelforce charge extra ) and I suppose as soon as RM get privatised they'll really start pushing for extra payments for delivery to us .

[Phantom]

What do people expect??? a private company to offer a full service? cheaper???? no no no

I think the wording was "an inquiry into claims courier companies are charging INFLATED prices for packages to the Highlands and Moray." I am sure NO people expect "a private company to offer a full service? cheaper????" whatever that means?

It means they can't offer the same service as RM can cheaper!