MP praises Crediton Royal Mail staff

THE MP for Central Devon, Sir Mel Stride, recently visited the Royal Mail Crediton Sorting Office at Lords Meadow to thank staff for their hard work during the festive period.

He was given a tour of the facility by Rob Foster, the Crediton Office Manager.

He explained that the Crediton Office has 33 staff who have 10,000 delivery points with 21 delivery routes (16 rural, four town) from Downes Golf Course to Witheridge, Chulmleigh, Meshaw and nearly to Whiddon Down.

Rob explained that in period seven of 2025 the Crediton Office was judged second best in the country out of more than 1,400 Sorting Offices.

This was judged on performance, safety, deliveries on time, outstanding performance, low absence, customer service, excellent feedback from customers etc.

Mel also met with Dave Wright who has worked at the Crediton Office for 41 years.

Dave and Rob spoke frankly with Mel about the challenging times Royal Mail was facing.

Previously there were a lot of parcel deliveries but now it is mainly letters.

The volume of parcels previously cross subsidised the mail service, now competing with other service providers.

These and other challenges facing Royal Mail were discussed and that nationally Royal Mail was struggling to meet targets.

The huge challenges of keeping a regular service, vehicles regularly damaged on poor rural roads, fuel costs and staff absence just a few examples.

Now a private company and not a government owned service was discussed and how the service had been fined for failing to meet targets recently.

First Class targets are for next day delivery with Second Class within three days.

Dave added: “We have good feedback from customers, our colleagues know their Royal Mail delivery staff and they appreciate that.”

Mel Stride said: “The Crediton Sorting Office has a brilliant team and it was great to spend time with them.

“They provide a great service, one that really matters.”