Weather means more postal misery

Royal Mail plans for extra weekend services to deal with delayed post have been seriously hit by the blanket of snow that has covered the Welshpool area.

Extra deliveries and collections should have been taking place in the Welshpool area this weekend but fresh heavy falls of snow are creating further difficulties and are likely to disrupt delivery and collection services planned for Sunday. Only limited deliveries were taking place today (Saturday).

"Royal Mail teams are working hard across the country to operate services impacted by recent weather conditions," said a spokesman. "We’re deploying additional measures where we can, in the continuing difficult conditions to collect, sort, transport and deliver the large volume of seasonal mail now progressing through our network.

Customers should continue to post early and by the last recommended posting dates for Christmas to help us as delivery volumes grow and weather conditions deteriorate again. The latest recommended posting dates are:

Saturday, 18 December for Second Class items
Tuesday, 21 December for First Class mail and packets and
Thursday, 23 December for Special Delivery

"Whilst we are continuing to accept and expect to deliver the vast majority of Special Delivery items, it's possible that some items may experience a delay as they move through our pipeline.

"We therefore cannot guarantee next day delivery of all items in all parts of the UK. For that reason and to provide customers with clear guidance, the Special Delivery™ guarantee remains temporarily withdrawn. Please be assured we review this every day and will reinstate the guarantee as soon as we can deliver the service promise. We’re really sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

"We expect to make Saturday collections from many Post Office branches, post boxes and business customers, but these may not be possible in many  areas. Where they are made, they may be at unfamiliar times.

"Deliveries and collections will only be attempted where it is safe for our people to perform them," said the spokesman.