Worcester postal delays: Councillor and MP seek evidence of improvements following latest Royal Mail visit

Worcester City Councillor Sarah Murray and Worcester MP Tom Collins have returned to the city’s Royal Mail Delivery Office as they continue pressing for improvements following months of serious postal delays.

The pair met the newly appointed Delivery Office Manager and Royal Mail’s Senior Public Affairs Manager and were invited into the sorting office, where staff were busy processing mail.

Royal Mail representatives confirmed that the new delivery model, DM26, has now been introduced locally and said residents should already be experiencing improvements.

The visit follows a meeting on Wednesday between Tom Collins, Royal Mail’s Chief Executive and other MPs.

Cllr Murray, who has been gathering evidence of postal delays across Worcester, said “Today was encouraging. The sorting office was buzzing with activity, and I genuinely hope we’re beginning to see the improvements residents have been waiting for.

“But we’ve heard assurances before, and the experiences residents have shared with me tell a very different story. Some have waited weeks for important NHS correspondence, including letters relating to hospital procedures.

“These aren’t simply inconvenient delays. They can affect people’s health, finances and livelihoods.

“After months of conflicting information, I think it’s fair to say that confidence has been badly damaged. That confidence can only be rebuilt through a consistently reliable service.”

During the visit, Cllr Murray also raised evidence received through the local Chamber of Commerce about the impact of delayed international trade documentation on businesses.

Concerns about delayed talking books for people with sight loss and reports of money missing from postal items were also raised. Royal Mail representatives promised to investigate.

Cllr Murray added “I want to acknowledge the hard work of our local postal workers. They need the staffing, resources and systems to deliver the service residents deserve.

“Tom and I have worked together throughout this issue, and we will continue pressing Royal Mail for answers.

“I would be delighted to hear that things are getting better. Equally, we need to know where problems persist so that we can continue holding Royal Mail to account. I sincerely hope we’ve finally turned a corner.”

Tom Collins MP’s constituency office is collating reports of postal problems across Worcester. Residents who have experienced delays, or who have noticed improvements, are encouraged to contact his office with their postcode and details of their experience. This information will help establish whether the changes introduced by Royal Mail are delivering the promised improvements.

ENDS