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Royal Mail Issues Update Fri December 19 as 117 Postcodes Hit by Severe Disruption - Full List
Royal Mail reports two-week second-class post delays in 117 UK postcodes, affecting hospital letters and parcel deliveries amid doubled festive volumes, Ofcom fined £21 million.
On December 19, Royal Mail released an update warning 117 postcodes are experiencing significant delivery disruption, and timely deliveries ahead of Christmas cannot be assured in those areas.
Royal Mail said disruptions stem from local issues like high sick absence and resourcing constraints, with rising parcel volumes blocking walkways in older delivery offices; it has recruited 20,000 additional staff and is bolstering local delivery offices.
Residents at Brownlow Court reported nearly two weeks without second-class post, missing NHS letters and a hospital appointment, while Bolton West MP Phil Brickell published a letter to Royal Mail's chief executive.
Households in affected postcodes cannot be assured of receiving parcels or letters six days a week, and Ofcom imposed a 21 million fine while warning of further penalties.
From early next year, Royal Mail plans to discontinue second-class Saturday deliveries, with COO Jamie Stephenson saying teams are 'working hard to make sure every item arrives on time and with care'.