Fury after Parcelforce’s highland concession

Parcelforce is to scrap its extra charge for deliveries to the Highlands from anywhere in Scotland – but it has decided against extending the concession to deliveries from England and those to the islands.

The limited concession followed a year-long review and is to apply from late this summer. It was greeted with widespread disappointment.

It means deliveries from the main postal catalogue suppliers in England will still cost more, and many will continue to pass on the delivery premium.

The islands’ charging policy is subject to a further review – to be completed by March, 2005.

Parcelforce strongly defended its decision to create the new Scottish tariff which it said “will mean that parcels and goods travelling from one end of mainland Scotland to another won’t incur the surcharges that exist under the current zones” – including Skye in the mainland because of the Skye Bridge.

Vanessa Leeson, managing director of Parcelforce Worldwide, said: “We believe the changes we have made will put the business ahead of its competitors and reflect our commitment to its Scottish market. We now believe we have a service that delivers for all of Scotland. We also expect that these major changes to our services, commitment and quality of services will also help us to grow our Scottish market while offering a service that delivers to every part of the UK at a competitive price.”

She added that Parcelforce remains the only major operator which does not impose southbound charging from the islands to the mainland and only charges the basic mainland fee for inter-islands parcels.

The Royal Mail-owned courier company – which is not subject to the same universal service obligation – is also launching a new service in Inverness where it will be the only carrier to offer a “by 10am” delivery service. But it is dropping its existing “by 9am” service to parts of Aberdeen including Milltimber, Culter, Hazlehead, Craigiebuckler, Mastrick, Dyce, Bridge of Don and Kittybrewster, and ending its “by noon” service in the remoter Highlands and Islands.

Inverness and District Chamber of Commerce director Simon Cole Hamilton said: “This is very disappointing. I really cannot see why the whole of mainland UK at least cannot be all at the one rate. This is effectively a financial penalty for those in the remoter north and west.”

Western Isles MP Calum Macdonald sounded an alert over the forthcoming islands charges review. He called for talks between Parcelforce and ferry operator CalMac over carriage costs and warned a surcharge on parcels from the islands – at present there is none – “would be a hammer blow to small businesses that rely on sending produce round the country”.

Opposition MPs were furious. Argyll and Bute Lib Dem Alan Reid said: “I am pleased with the limited concession for Scottish mainland deliveries, but it is an utter disgrace they are still maintaining discrimination against island communities.”

Orkney and Shetland Lib Dem Alistair Carmichael said: “This is very disappointing. It illustrates what will happen if Postcom get their way and deregulate the Royal Mail.”

Liberal Democrat trade and industry spokesman Malcolm Bruce said: “The Highlands and Islands are disadvantaged by their remoteness and should not be further penalised by not being able to get a service or only at extra cost.”

SNP Westminster trade and industry spokesman and Angus MP Mike Weir said the decision was “absolutely crazy, bizarre and utterly incredible”.