Post now after lunch (From Gazette Series)

Post now after lunch

CHANGES to mail deliveries have angered one resident who claims the introduction of a single daily delivery has greatly reduced the level of service he receives.

A once-a-day delivery was introduced in Cam and Dursley two weeks ago as part of a national Royal Mail initiative to combine first and second deliveries.

These are the first changes to be made in the delivery schedule for around 30 years and Royal Mail claims doing away with a second delivery will make the service more efficient and reliable.

But Peter Russell-Yarde, of Orchard Leaze, Cam, said since the new service was introduced he has seen a major drop in the reliability of delivery times.

"We used to get our post at around 8am," he said. "Now it often doesn't come until after lunch."

Mr Russell-Yarde said for businesses relying on early morning deliveries of payments this upset in the service could be costly.

"For someone relying on having an early morning delivery, this delay could be critical," he added. "The service has operated perfectly well in the past and it seems to me the people making the changes just haven't got a clue."

In a letter announcing the changes Royal Mail told customers the changes are taking place because second deliveries now only contain a tiny portion of mail - around four percent of the daily mailbag - but account for around 20 percent of costs.

Customers were also told of a Mail Collect service, which allows them to collect mail from the delivery office after 8.30am.

But Mr Russell-Yarde said this makes a mockery of the postal service.

"Is Royal Mail offering a post service or not?" he asked. "It is hardly post if we have to go and collect our mail."

He said the new service is not what people want.

"It would seem the company has no idea what people want or like," he added. "The service was fine how it was and should not have been changed without very good reason."

Royal Mail claims under the new service most customers will receive their single delivery by lunchtime. Rural deliveries will be completed by 3pm.

Spokeswoman Marka Rifat said the service operating from the Cam delivery office is still in the very early stages.

"A second post was not a practical way of delivering mail and we had to find a more efficient service," she added. "We would appeal for customers' patience while our delivery staff get used to their new rounds."

Ms Rifat added when the service was established it should offer customers a more regular service.

"We have never guaranteed an early morning service and in the past delivery times have altered," she added. "This new system will offer a far better use of our resources."