UK deliveries hit by snow
Post and parcel services across the UK are being hit due to severe weather conditions. Snow and ice across the country has led to widespread disruption of Royal Mail services.
Parcel and express companies are also being affected – with a delivery success rate presently believed to be standing at approximately 50%.
The delays come at the busiest time of the year, as post and parcel companies struggle with increased volumes for Christmas.
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Unfortunately, severe weather conditions in some parts of the UK are impacting upon many essential services including those provided by Royal Mail.
“Mail collection, distribution, processing and deliveries are taking place as usual across the majority of the UK. In the areas most severely affected by the snow and icy conditions, our ability to operate normal services is being disrupted.
“Contingency plans are in operation to keep mail moving and keep delays in and out of affected areas to an absolute minimum. We are maintaining services to customers wherever possible, however, in these difficult conditions, the safety our people is our priority.”
Royal Mail also confirmed that it’s Special Delivery service has been halted due to the weather.
Global Freight Solutions reported that the current cold snap has badly impacted on deliveries across the country at the busiest time of the year for the industry.
Simon Veale, GFS director, told Post&Parcel that roughly half the packages being moved to businesses and consumers by Britain’s big carriers had been subjected to delays, amounting to some 3m parcels yet to be delivered.
Speaking to Post&Parcel, Veale said: “Everyone is working around the clock to try and find ways to get consignments to their destination but with some of the country’s roads almost impassable, there’s little that carriers can do for the moment.
“What this bad weather has done is create a third spike in pre-Christmas traffic for the parcel industry. Whereas the others are linked to a seasonal rise in shipments to businesses and consumers, this additional peak is represented by a huge backlog which has occurred with carriers already working at close to maximum capacity.”
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