Royal Mail has warned that a large number of postcode areas will not receive mail on time today, with delays affecting 63 postcode areas as of Tuesday, November 3.
The delivery firm has published a list of the areas most impacted by delays. It aims to deliver to addresses six days a week, yet there have been a number of disruptions to the service.
What is causing the delays?
Royal Mail's air network ran to schedule over the past 24 hours, but there have been delays on the road network and at mail centres. The company said: "Last night, three vehicles arrived to our Midlands Parcel Hub later than scheduled, meaning they were despatched for onward delivery to Chelmsford Mail Centre, Medway Mail Centre and Southampton Mail Centre later than planned."
As a result, some mail posted across other parts of the UK, for delivery in parts of the CM, CO, IP, SS, CT, DA, ME, TN, PO, SO and SP postcode areas may arrive later than planned. Jubilee Mail Centre has also faced delays, as some mail posted in the GU, KT, SW and TW postcode areas is for delivery across other parts of the UK.
Affected delivery offices
Royal Mail said: "We aim to deliver to all addresses we have mail for, six days a week. In a small number of local offices, this may temporarily not be possible due to local issues such as high levels of sick absence, resourcing, or other local factors."
In those cases, the company said it will rotate deliveries to minimise the delay to individual customers, and provide targeted support to those offices to address their challenges and restore service. The affected delivery offices include Aberdare DO (CF44, CF45), Basingstoke DO (RG21-RG26, RG28), Bicester DO (OX25-OX27), Boston DO (PE20-PE22), Bridge of Don DO (AB22, AB23), Brinklow DO (MK6-MK7, MK9-MK10, MK15, MK17), Bristol North DO (BS6, BS7), Cheadle DO (SK8), Glasgow DO (G11, G12), Holbeck DO (LS11), Huntingdon DO (PE26-PE29), Lark Lane DO (L17), Lichfield DO (WS7, WS13, WS14), March DO (PE15), Newton Aycliffe DO (DL5), Nuneaton DO (CV10, CV11, CV13), Orton Southgate DO (PE2, PE7, PE8, PE9), Oxford East DO (OX3, OX4, OX33, OX44, OX49), Peterborough DO (PE1, PE3-PE6), Skelton in Cleveland DO (TS12, TS13), Spilsby DO (PE23), Waterlooville DO (PO7, PO8) and Wisbech DO (PE13, PE14).
Christmas postal dates and deadlines
Royal Mail has also published its Christmas postal days to ensure mail arrives on time during the festive period. It said: "It's always advisable to post as early as possible to ensure that your Christmas letters and parcels reach their destination in good time."
Royal Mail will not be making any collections or deliveries on Friday, December 25 (Christmas Day), Saturday, December 26 (Boxing Day), or Monday, December 28 (substitute Bank Holiday for Boxing Day). As a result, the last postal service before Christmas will take place on Thursday, December 24 (Christmas Eve), with services resuming on Tuesday, December 29.
The postal deadlines are: 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For - Friday, December 18; Royal Mail Tracked 48 - Saturday, December 19; 1st Class and 1st Class Signed For - Monday, December 21; Royal Mail Tracked 24 - Monday, December 21; and for Special Delivery Guaranteed - Wednesday, December 23.
