Royal Mail explains reason UK households may not receive letters before Christmas

The festive season is the postal service’s busiest time of year with people sending cards and gifts

Royal Mail has disclosed the reason people may be receiving parcels ahead of letters during the lead up to Christmas. The postal service deliver six days a week to 32 million homes across the United Kingdom.

The festive season is their busiest time of year with people sending cards and ordering and receiving gifts. As many delivery officers were designed at a time when letters were the main item, they can become full.

Parcels take up much more space than letters and, in large numbers, can create health and safety issues. Therefore it is sometimes necessary to put a “short-term contingency measure” in place.

Royal Mail said this involves them clearing parcels first to keep offices safe and ensure all mail, including letters, continues to move through the network.

It may explain why some customers see parcels arriving first, while letters continue to be delivered.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We know how important letters and parcels are, especially in the run-up to Christmas. This is our busiest time of year, with mail volumes more than doubling, but the vast majority of mail continues to be delivered on time. “Where there is disruption, we work to resolve it as quickly as possible and keep services moving. Last year, 99% of items posted by the last recommended posting dates were delivered in time for Christmas, and our teams are working hard to deliver the same level of service again this year.”

Royal Mail has confirmed that 117 postcodes are experiencing significant service disruption. They include Ashington (NE22, NE62, NE63 and NE64) in Northumberland and Seaham (SR7) in County Durham.

Residents in these areas cannot be assured of receiving parcels or letters six days per week. The substantial disruption raises concerns that deliveries may not arrive in time for the Christmas period.

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