Watford MP Dean Russell visits Royal Mail sorting office

Dean Russell met bosses at the Royal Mail Delivery Office in Caxton Way, Watford, to discuss the issues facing the town’s postal service.

Residents complained of late post or no deliveries at all last year, including one who said they received nothing for almost two weeks in late November.

This led mail bosses to assure Watford mayor Peter Taylor in December that there would be “letters every day” and no more delays to the service.

Following the visit this month, Mr Russell said he was grateful to staff for understanding the challenges facing the sorting office and their willingness to discuss solutions.

He said: “I would like to thank the team at the Watford Delivery Office for their time today.

“I raised the justifiable concerns of residents about the issues last year regarding late deliveries of important mail. I made it clear that it was unfair on residents.”

The MP said he appreciated their promise to keep him updated on efforts to address the issue and he was “very pleased” to hear that hospital letters were receiving priority delivery.

MP Dean Russell discussed the issues facing the Watford’s postal service with staff on the visit. (Image: MP Dean Russell)He explained to them he had been contacted by residents who had missed hospital appointments because of late post, which staff said was now being prioritised as special delivery.

At a meeting with Watford mayor Peter Taylor before Christmas, Royal Mail bosses claimed a major reason for the delays was industrial action last year which had created a backlog.

Extra temporary workers have since been hired to make up for shortfalls and they denied claims it prioritised parcels over letters.

At the recent meeting with Dean Russell, Royal Mail also brought up their carbon dioxide commitments and their growing fleet of electric delivery vans across the town.

They acknowledged that the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) to the London boundaries, which Mr Russell opposed in parliament, was putting extra pressure on deliveries.

Regional Operations Manager Adam Pestell said: “It was great to welcome Dean Russell MP into Watford Delivery Office. 

“This gave us an opportunity to explain how Royal Mail is transforming as customers send far fewer letters and receive lots more parcels, and to explain the importance of reforming the Universal Service so it is fit for the future.”

Pestell also said it was interesting to hear feedback from constituents that they felt the service has improved.