Royal Mail has warned households across dozens of areas that their post could be delayed today.
Delivery problems are affecting 79 postcode districts as staff shortages and sickness hit services.
The postal service confirmed that 28 delivery offices are experiencing significant disruption on Thursday, September 3, with problems affecting communities across England, Scotland and Wales.
Royal Mail said higher-than-usual levels of staff sickness, resourcing shortages and other local issues are behind the disruption.
The problems do not amount to a nationwide shutdown, but some households in affected areas may not receive their usual deliveries while local offices work to restore normal service.
Royal Mail said collections and deliveries are still taking place across the UK today, with staff aiming to reach every address where there is mail to deliver.
However, the company warned that this may not be possible in a small number of areas experiencing the most severe disruption.
Where normal service cannot be maintained, Royal Mail plans to rotate deliveries between affected areas to avoid the same households going without post for long periods.
The company said: “We’re sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.”
The reasons for the delays differ between the 28 delivery offices, with Royal Mail pointing to high levels of staff absence, resourcing shortages and other local issues.
The company said: “We’re sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding”
|
GETTYRoyal Mail has also reported separate problems across its wider distribution network, which could cause further disruption to some services.
A vehicle arriving late at Royal Mail’s North West Hub on Wednesday morning missed its planned connections, causing delays to some mail heading to the CA, DG, CH, LL and SY postcode areas.
Some items that were due to arrive in these areas yesterday may now be delivered later than expected.
Royal Mail also reported problems at Birmingham Mail Centre, where processing issues meant some post could not be sent out on time.
Royal Mail has also reported separate problems across its wider distribution network
|
PexelsMail posted yesterday in the B, HR and WR postcode areas for delivery elsewhere in the UK today may therefore face delays.
These problems come on top of the disruption at 28 local delivery offices, meaning delays are affecting different parts of Royal Mail’s network.
On a more encouraging note, Royal Mail’s air network reported no issues, with all services running to timetable over the preceding 24 hours.
The full roster of delivery offices and postcode districts affected by today’s local disruptions is as follows: Basingstoke DO covering RG21, RG22, RG23, RG24, RG25, RG26 and RG28; Bedford MK40 DO serving MK40, MK41, MK42, MK43, MK44 and MK45; Bridge of Don DO encompassing AB22 and AB23; Brierley Hill DO for DY5; Cambridge DO taking in CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CB21, CB22, CB23, CB24 and CB25; Carmarthen DO covering SA17, SA31, SA32 and SA33; Carterton DO for OX18; Cheadle SK DO serving SK8; Chester DO spanning CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH88 and CH99; Dagenham DO for RM8, RM9 and RM10; Dudley DO covering DY1, DY2 and DY3; Finchley Church End DO for N3; Ilfracombe DO serving EX34; and Llandudno DO encompassing LL30, LL31, LL32 and LL34.
The remaining affected offices include Lochgelly DO for KY5; Loughborough DO serving LE11 and LE12; Margate DO covering CT7, CT8 and CT9; Mid Rhondda Ganol DO for CF39 and CF40; Nuneaton DO encompassing CV10, CV11 and CV13; Oxford DO taking in OX1 and OX2; Ramsgate DO for CT11 and CT12; Reading East DO spanning RG4, RG5, RG6 and RG10; Rugeley DO serving WS15; Runcorn DO for WA7; Shrewsbury DO covering SY1, SY2, SY3, SY4 and SY5; Sidmouth DO for EX10; Wednesbury DO encompassing WS10; and Wilmslow DO serving SK9.
Residents within any of these 79 postcode districts are advised to allow additional time for their post to arrive whilst Royal Mail works to restore normal operations across all 28 sites.