Royal Mail has issued a stark warning to households and businesses across the UK, alerting them to potential Christmas delivery delays affecting 47 specific postcode areas. The postal service has declared that today, December 20, is the final recommended date for sending parcels and cards via its first class signed for service to ensure they arrive in time for the festive period.
What's Causing the Festive Disruption?
In an official statement on its website, Royal Mail explained the reasons behind the localised disruptions. The company stated its aim is to deliver to all addresses six days a week, but acknowledged this may not be temporarily possible in a limited number of areas. Local issues such as high levels of staff sickness, resourcing challenges, and other operational factors are to blame for the expected holdups.
The organisation apologised for any inconvenience, adding: "We're sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding." They strongly advised customers to allow plenty of time for posting this Christmas and to send items, especially international ones, as early as possible.
The Full List of Affected Postcode Areas
The delivery offices impacted span the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, from Scotland to Northern Ireland and across England and Wales. The full list of the 47 postcode areas where delays are anticipated is as follows:
- 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)
Act Now to Avoid Christmas Disappointment
Royal Mail has emphasised that its published last posting dates are subject to change and has urged the public not to leave their festive post to the last minute. The clear message is to post items and gifts early to guarantee they reach loved ones in good time for Christmas Day.
For those living in or sending to the affected postcodes, checking the list and acting promptly is crucial. With the deadline for first class signed for mail already upon us, alternative services or earlier posting for standard mail may now be the only reliable options to ensure Christmas cheer is delivered on time.
