Foyle MLA meets with Royal Mail management to ensure delivery for Derry

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has met with Royal Mail at Great James Street Local Delivery Office in Derry to discuss protracted letter delivery delays impacting the BT47 and BT48 areas.

It follows concerns, first raised in 2022 around delays with mail deliveries which lead to missed hospital appointments and benefit sanctions for many people across the city. Royal Mail are currently under investigation by the communications watchdog Ofcom for missing target delivery times.

The MLA for Foyle said: “For some time now I’ve been at loggerheads with Royal Mail about the problems new policies are creating for people waiting on post and the pressures they are putting on workers.

“I’ve met with management locally to reiterate concerns and received some reassurance that extra resources have been allocated here to improve the situation. Royal Mail have attributed delays to high rates of staff absences but I cannot accept that this is the sole cause. The service is currently under scrutiny by Ofcom and just last week we learnt that a quarter of first-class post was not delivered on time. Royal Mail must take accountability for clear systemic failings.

“I also got a glimpse of the pressure our postal staff are under, with an ever-growing pile of parcels to deliver and what has been insufficient cover for colleagues on sick leave. I’ve witnessed first-hand the efforts of postal staff on the ground and the connection they have with the community, the current issues are no way a reflection of their hard work. Rather, staff are suffering as a direct result of the system they are working in.

“I will continue to support our precious posties and fight to ensure that people get the first-class service they deserve.”