Royal Mail has issued a public apology and warning to households across the United Kingdom, just days before Christmas, acknowledging that deliveries will be disrupted in 119 specific postcode areas.
Festive Disruption for Dozens of Local Offices
The postal service stated that its aim to deliver to all addresses six days a week may temporarily not be possible in a number of local delivery offices. The company cited localised problems including high levels of staff sickness, resourcing shortages, and other unspecified factors.
In response to these challenges, Royal Mail explained it would implement a system of rotating deliveries to spread the impact and minimise the delay for individual customers. The company also pledged targeted support for the struggling offices to restore normal service standards.
"We're sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding," a Royal Mail spokesperson said. The service committed to providing regular updates on its website regarding the offices most severely affected.
The Full List of Affected Postcodes
The 119 postcodes where residents can expect potential delays are served by the following delivery offices:
- Aboyne SUDO (AB34)
- Altens DO (AB10, AB11, AB12, AB35)
- Ashington DO (NE22, NE62, NE63, NE64)
- Barry DO (CF62, CF63)
- Belfast West DO (BT10, BT11, BT12, BT17)
- Bingham DO (NG12, NG13)
- Bristol East DO (BS5)
- Brixton DO (SW2)
- Callington DO (PL17, PL18)
- Canvey Island DO (SS8)
- Clevedon DO (BS21, BS49)
- Dundee East DO (DD4, DD5, DD7)
- Dunstable DO (LU5, LU6)
- Dursley DO (GL11, GL12, GL13)
- Dyce DO (AB21)
- Egremont DO (CA21, CA22, CA23, CA24, CA25, CA27)
- Erskine DO (PA7, PA8)
- Glasgow G52 DO (G52, G53)
- Glenrothes DO (KY6, KY7)
- Gloucester North DO (GL3, GL4)
- Inverclyde DO (PA14, PA15, PA16, PA17, PA18, PA19)
- Johnstone DO (PA5, PA6, PA9, PA10, PA12)
- Kettering DO (NN14, NN15, NN16)
- Kingswood DO (BS15, BS30)
- Lichfield DO (WS7, WS13, WS14)
- Lisburn DO (BT26, BT27, BT28)
- Londonderry DO (BT47, BT48)
- Medway Valley DO (ME6, ME18, ME19, ME20)
- Northfield DO (B31)
- Northwich DO (CW8, CW9)
- Nottingham South DO (NG2, NG12)
- Paisley DO (PA1, PA2, PA3)
- Plympton DO (PL7)
- Pontefract DO (WF7, WF8, WF9, WF11)
- Renfrew DO (PA4)
- Seaham DO (SR7)
- Sleaford DO (NG34)
- St Helens DO (WA9, WA10, WA11)
- Stalybridge SUDO (SK15)
- Thornbury DO (BS35)
- Tipton DO (DY4)
- Warrington DO (WA1, WA2, WA4, WA5, WA55)
- Wellington DO (TA21)
- Westhill DO (AB13, AB14, AB32)
- Whitehaven DO (CA18, CA19, CA20, CA26, CA28)
- Whitwood DO (WF6, WF10)
- Wigan DO (WN1, WN2, WN3, WN4, WN5, WN6)
Regulatory Pressure Mounts on Royal Mail
This latest service issue comes as Royal Mail faces continued scrutiny from the industry regulator, Ofcom. The regulator has warned that further fines could be imposed unless the company submits a credible plan to improve its performance.
Ian Strawhorne, Ofcom's Director of Enforcement, has been sharply critical, stating that Royal Mail customers "aren't getting what they paid for" and "deserve better." This pressure underscores the significant challenges Royal Mail must overcome to meet its service obligations and regain public trust, especially during the critical festive period.
