TNT Post moves closer to 'final mile' delivery service

TNT Post’s development of a final mile delivery service is one step nearer after Postcomm’s decision last month to open a consultation into mail-redirection services for the competitive postal market.

The aim of Postcomm’s consultation is to pre-empt any problems if Royal Mail’s rivals introduce mail redirection. Issues will include data protection, and the logistics and financial implications of sharing data.

TNT confirmed developments had been made regarding the launch of a final mile service in Scotland and Manchester, with local offices opening there.

“We welcome Postcomm’s consultation and it is important for us, as new operators, that we can operate on a level playing field,” said David Higham, divi-sional MD for TNT Post’s access business. “Our customers expect us to be able to redirect their customer’s mail, particularly if we offer end-to-end services.”

While Royal Mail welcomed the consultation, a spokesman said its main priority was the protection of customer data.

According to Bill Wallis, marketing manager at Business Post, parent company of UK Mail, the consultation will have little affect on businesses not planning to offer an end-to-end service. “We have no plans at this stage, and none foreseeable in future, to become an end-to-end operator. For the time being, Royal Mail’s redirection service works for us.”

Postcomm estimates that 1.3 million homes and firms use Royal Mail redirection.

The con-sultation closes on 31 October.

Last month, Postcomm announced a strategy review on whether Royal Mail meets the needs of customers, which is due to close on 6 November.