Royal Mail has issued an urgent update warning that some deliveries may take longer than usual across Merseyside and other regions as Britain experiences a record-breaking heatwave. The postal service typically delivers letters six days a week and parcels on Sundays, but the extreme temperatures have prompted caution.
Heatwave Triggers Disruptions
A rare red alert has been declared across southern England, the Midlands, and parts of Wales, including London, Somerset, Birmingham, Swansea, and Cardiff. Temperatures are forecast to hit 36°C today and 39°C tomorrow, with potential peaks of 40°C. The heatwave has already forced school closures and widespread train cancellations and delays.
Royal Mail stated: "Our posties and drivers are taking extra care in the heat to keep themselves and our customers safe... thank you for your patience if deliveries take a little longer." Several postcode areas are experiencing delayed deliveries, including New Ferry (CH32, CH62, CH63) and Upton (CH30, CH49) on Merseyside.
Service Adjustments and Apologies
The delivery firm explained: "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 such cases, deliveries are rotated to minimise individual delays, and targeted support is provided to affected offices. Royal Mail apologised for any inconvenience and thanked customers for their understanding.
Despite the warnings, Royal Mail's air and road network has operated on schedule over the past 24 hours.
Background on Performance and Fines
Royal Mail has faced criticism over delayed deliveries and received a £21 million fine from Ofcom in October for failing to meet targets. Between 2024 and 2025, the firm delivered only 77% of First Class post and 92.5% of Second Class post on time. This year, Royal Mail has set improved targets: raising First Class Next Day delivery to approximately 85% within nine months and achieving the 90% target set by Ofcom within a year.
Jamie Stephenson, Royal Mail's chief operating officer, said: "We're putting significant investment into improving reliability and reaching these new delivery targets, but delivering lasting change across a network of this scale takes time. Universal Service reform is a key part of that, helping us adapt the network to reflect how people send and receive mail today while protecting the one-price-goes-anywhere service for the future." He added that the company plans to deploy a new delivery model to all delivery offices nationwide by the Christmas peak period, with clear quarterly targets. Early performance this year indicates the plan is on track.
Affected Postcode Areas
Royal Mail has listed numerous postcode areas experiencing delays, including Ashington (NE22, NE62, NE63, NE64), Altens (AB10, AB11, AB12, AB35), Banbury (OX15, OX16, OX17), Bedford (MK40-MK45), Bicester (OX25, OX26, OX27), Bridge Of Don (AB22, AB23), Brierley Hill (DY5), Carmarthen (SA17, SA31, SA32, SA33), Carterton (OX18), Deeside (CH5), Dursley (GL11, GL12, GL13), Gosforth (NE3, NE13), Hailsham (BN27), Kidsgrove (ST7), Kingswinford (DY6), Lichfield (WS7, WS13, WS14), Llangollen (LL20), Margate (CT7, CT8, CT9), Nantwich (CW5), New Ferry (CH32, CH62, CH63), North Tyneside (NE25-NE30), Northwich (CW8, CW9), Oxford East (OX3, OX4, OX33, OX44, OX49), Patchway (BS32, BS34, BS35), Pontyclun (CF72), Southam (CV47), St Helens (WA9, WA10, WA11), Swindon (SN1, SN2, SN3, SN6, SN25, SN26, SN38, SN99), Teignmouth (TQ14), Tipton (DY4), Tiverton (EX16, EX18), Upton (CH30, CH49), Wallingford (OX10, OX49), Warrington (WA1, WA2, WA4, WA5, WA55), and Wolverhampton NE (WV11-WV12).
