Residents across four specific postcodes in the West Midlands have been officially notified of ongoing Royal Mail delivery delays, as disruption persists into late January 2026. This announcement follows earlier warnings from Royal Mail about regional service issues affecting some households.
Affected Areas and Current Situation
On Friday, January 30, 2026, Royal Mail confirmed that delays are impacting several key areas within the West Midlands. The affected postcodes include:
- Shrewsbury DO, covering SY1 to SY5
- Brierley Hill, covering DY5
- Smethwick DO, covering B66 and B67
- Tipton, covering DY4
These locations are experiencing significant disruptions to their usual mail delivery schedules, with residents advised to expect potential delays in receiving parcels and letters.
Causes of the Delivery Disruptions
Royal Mail has outlined several factors contributing to the current delays in these West Midlands postcodes. The company aims to deliver to all addresses six days a week, but local challenges can impede this standard. Key issues identified include:
- High levels of sick absence among staff
- Resourcing difficulties in specific delivery offices
- Other local operational factors
These elements have combined to result in some addresses not receiving their expected deliveries on all six days, disrupting normal service levels.
Royal Mail's Response and Support Measures
In response to the ongoing issues, Royal Mail has stated that it is providing targeted support to the struggling delivery offices in the affected West Midlands areas. This support is designed to address the specific challenges faced by each location and work towards restoring full delivery services as quickly as possible.
Residents in the impacted postcodes are encouraged to check online for the latest updates and delay information to stay informed about potential disruptions to their mail. Royal Mail continues to monitor the situation closely, aiming to minimise inconvenience for customers across the region.
