Royal Mail stops grey fleet usage (UK)

The Royal Mail has confirmed that it is to stop its employees from using their own vehicles for work. More than 8,000 of the Royal Mail’s 120,000 staff currently use their own transport while at work.

They will be required to end the practice within the next two to three years and use alternatives provided by Royal Mail as part of a wider £1.2 billion upgrade investment.

According to a Royal Mail spokesman, delivery staff should never have to use their own vehicles, although it has become accepted practice in some areas.

“The use of cars is never assumed when walks are designed or revised,” explained James Eadie, senior external relations manager at the Royal Mail Group.

However, on occasion, postmen and postwomen ask to use their vehicles to travel to and from their delivery route in preference to officially planned transport.

Approval is subject to an assessment by the local delivery office manager and considerations include insurance, health and safety and security.”

Despite these checks, the Royal Mail has said it will now insist that employees no longer use their own vehicles at work.

“We are looking to invest in the very latest and best delivery equipment which will provide a range of benefits – for example, reduced weight on the shoulder, which will impact positively on injuries at work and therefore on sick absence,” said Mr Eadie.

The Royal Mail said the initiative would take several years to complete, but that it had the backing of staff, especially after they had been presented with alternatives such as electric trolleys.

“The employee reaction to the new delivery equipment in those units that have tested it has been very positive,” said Mr Eadie.