UK Postcomm consults on exceptions to daily postal collections

With only a few exceptions, Royal Mail is required to collect mail at least once every working day from all 115,000 post boxes and over 16,000 post offices throughout the UK, as part of its universal postal service.

As part of its process of defining the universal postal service, Postcomm has began consulting on how those few exceptions should be defined. Postcomm has already, in January 2003, issued a direction on exceptions to Royal Mail’s daily postal delivery obligation.

Postcomm suggests that difficulty of access should be the main reason why a collection point is excepted from the daily collection obligation. Post boxes on islands or other areas accessible only by boat and with a limited ferry or air service could be regarded as long term exceptions. Collections from these would be made on days tying in with a scheduled ferry or air service. Long term exceptions would also apply to post boxes in other buildings that are closed for one or more working days during the week – this includes post boxes and Post Office counters in part-time Post Offices not open every day.

Postcomm also suggests that shorter term access difficulties, because of damage to the letter box, or on health and safety grounds, could lead to temporary suspension of the universal service from that collection point. Health and safety risks could be serious damage due to vandalism or temporary changes to traffic flow making it unsafe for a vehicle to park or pull out after collection.

Post boxes that offer a limited service should display information about collection days, Royal Mail’s customer services telephone helpline and, where appropriate, details of the three nearest alternative post boxes, the document says. Those temporarily out of service should also indicate an estimated time for the resumption of the service. Where a post box is likely to be out of service for more than six months, Royal Mail should consider relocating it.