An Oxford MP has hit out at “extremely disruptive” postal delays in the city, suggesting “new data” shows Royal Mail has not hit its target for the last five years.
Anneliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, is urging the responsible authority to “improve their delivery record” after figures appeared to indicate 2019/2020 was the last time the company met its target of delivering 91.5 per cent of all first-class mail by the next working day.
A spokesman has responded, saying he believes the figures refer to “dated information” from 2022/2023.
Ms Dodds said: “I regularly receive complaints from residents across Oxford East who are suffering delays in their receiving post; 186 alone over the last 18 months.
“For many, this can be extremely disruptive – causing people to miss vital hospital appointments, invitations to weddings and funerals, important work- and business-related post and family communications like birthday cards, not to mention repeatedly receiving time-limited publications very late.
“I do want to make clear that I believe that local staff have been doing all they can to improve the service.
“Indeed, it is our postmen and – women who understand how services really can be improved.
“To that end, I have continually urged national Royal Mail to listen to what their workforce are saying about what could be done to improve things.”
The response from Ms Dodds comes as postal delays caused havoc in Oxfordshire last year, with homeowners in East Oxford, Thame and Banbury reporting receiving letters and parcels late or not at all.
Some people resorted to visiting their sorting office in person to demand their mail.
Alistair Cochrane, chief operating officer at Royal Mail, said: “Improving the reliability of our service is one of our top priorities. Throughout this year, we have implemented a series of changes to drive improvements, and this has led to some encouraging results.
“However, we acknowledge more must be done, and we will continue to work hard to deliver the standard of service our customers expect.
“In April, we submitted our proposed reforms on the Universal Service.
“This proposal is designed to protect what matters most to customers including maintaining the six-day service. This reform, combined with our efforts, will help create a modern, sustainable service for future generations.”
Cowley ward Independent Oxford Alliance councillor Ian Yeatman, who previously campaigned against the closure of a post office in Templars Square, said: “The situation with Royal Mail deliveries has become intolerable, and senior management must now be held accountable.
“Urgent communications, such as hospital appointments, are regularly arriving late, significantly impacting individuals and services.
“Many organisations are being forced to change how they communicate due to the poor service provided by Royal Mail, often resorting to digital options.
“However, this shift further excludes some of the poorest and most vulnerable members of our communities.”
