Royal Mail has issued an urgent alert to customers across the United Kingdom, confirming that a significant backlog is causing major delays to deliveries in 60 postcode areas. The disruption comes at the worst possible time, with just days remaining until Christmas Day.
A Festive "Perfect Storm" Hits Postal Service
The national postal carrier has identified a combination of factors behind the severe hold-ups. Exceptionally high volumes of seasonal mail have collided with high levels of staff sickness, creating what the company describes as a "perfect storm." This has left numerous local sorting offices overwhelmed and unable to process items at their usual pace.
Royal Mail has stated that the situation is impacting a wide range of regions. The 60 affected postcodes span from parts of London and the South East to various areas within the Midlands and the North of England. Residents in these locations have reported waiting for several days for standard first and second-class letters to arrive.
Last-Minute Christmas Post at Risk
With December 25th fast approaching, the company has delivered a sobering warning: items posted at the last minute may not arrive in time for Christmas. Customers in the impacted zones are being urged to manage their expectations regarding the arrival of any non-tracked parcels and festive cards.
In an effort to mitigate the widespread disruption, Royal Mail is prioritising certain services. Special Delivery Guaranteed items and NHS appointment letters are being given precedence in the processing queues. However, the postal service has openly admitted that the current logistical pressures are even testing these premium and essential services.
Advice for Customers Sending Gifts
For those still hoping to send items, Royal Mail strongly recommends using tracked postal services where possible. This allows senders to monitor the progress of their gifts and provides more visibility during the delays. The company has apologised for the inconvenience caused and emphasised that teams are working "around the clock" in an attempt to clear the mounting backlog.
The full list of the 60 affected postcode areas has been published by Royal Mail. Customers are advised to check this list to see if their local delivery office is experiencing problems.
