| Households and businesses in the DD4 and DD5 postcode were switched from two daily deliveries to one as of yesterday, as the system continues to be “`rolled out’’ across Tayside.
The first postcodes in the region became single delivery areas last November, while the Dundee DD2 and DD3 areas were switched in June.
Some businesses within the newly changed areas were complaining of deliveries arriving at 9.15 am rather than the 7.30 to 7.45 am average of the previous system.
A Royal Mail spokeswoman confirmed that all customers could expect later delivery times as a result of the change, although Royal Mail has indicated that they will endeavour to have deliveries made to businesses by 9 am.
“The new system does mean later delivery times, but obviously there is a greater amount of mail to sort with just one delivery and postal staff still begin sorting at 5.30 am,’’ she said.
“This is the biggest change in our business for a century.
“Obviously there are bound to be a few teething problems early on, but Dundee East staff say that the changeover has been made reasonably smoothly.
“They are keen to maintain and improve standards of service as the system beds down.’’
The Royal Mail’s licence requires them to deliver at least once a day, six days a week but does not specify times of delivery, she added.
“The second delivery accounted for only 4% of the mailbag but 20% of delivery costs, and those are figures that any modern business simply could not sustain,’’ she said. |
