Tag: Royal Mail

Seasonal rail services for Royal Mail

Posted by | Dec 13, 2007 | |

EWS Network, the logistics rail provider, has been contracted to provide two mail trains a day for the Royal Mail over the next fortnight.

The ten van train will operate from the Royal Mail’s Princess Royal Distribution Centre in London, and then call at Warrington and Shieldmuir, just outside Glasgow. The train will then work a return service from Shieldmuir via Warrington to Prnicess Royal.

Stuart Boner, EWS Network Managing Director, said: “Royal Mail is a multi-modal logistics user and at their busiest time of the year they require additional resources from all modes. EWS Network is delighted to provide a rail solution that can be integrated into their plan, and looks forward to transporting mail in the days leading up to Christmas.”

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Don’t Let Credit Card Charges Spoil Festive Celebrations Abroad

Posted by | Dec 13, 2007 | |

At least 2.4 million people are planning to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve abroad, according to research by Post Office. But those heading overseas are being warned not to end up with a financial hangover by getting caught out by hidden fees on their credit card.

The rise in cheap flights and the depressing British weather means that many people are planning to spend their Christmas holidays in another country. Just under a fifth of those heading abroad during the Christmas and New Year period (17 per cent) are planning to visit Spain, 6 per cent are planning to visit France and 5 per cent Italy

Around one in ten (8 per cent) plan to travel further afield to the US, with many likely to take advantage of the weak dollar. However, those planning to use their credit card abroad could be in for a big shock because of hidden charges.

The majority of credit cards charge a typical 2.75 per cent for each transaction made overseas. However, Post Office® credit card customers can use their card worldwide without incurring any commission charges.

The Post Office® is therefore urging consumers to check with their bank or credit card provider whether they will be paying a fee to shop overseas before they go.

Post Office® director of lending Gary Fitton said: “For many people, going abroad for Christmas is a great way to relax and not have to worry about cooking Christmas dinner. However, with 49 per cent of UK holidaymakers planning to use their credit card when shopping abroad many people could be returning from their Christmas break with a lot more than just ‘memories and mementoes’ due to hidden card charges.”

As well as no commission charges, the Post Office® credit card also has zero per cent on balance transfers for the first 10 months and zero per cent on purchases for the first three months. In addition it offers zero per cent again on new balance transfers made during the month of the cardholder’s first and second anniversary.

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Decisions on the Future of Post Offices in East Yorkshire, Bassetlaw and North Lincolnshire Are Announced

Posted by | Dec 13, 2007 | |

Post Office Ltd announced decisions on the future of Post Office branches across East Yorkshire, Bassetlaw and North Lincolnshire, following a six-week public consultation which ended on 12 November.

Post Office services will be provided through a network of 336 branches, including 24 outreach service points, which supports the national accessibility criteria introduced by the Government and ensures that 99 pct of this area’s population will either see no change to their existing branch or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

The announcement today means that 42 branches will close in East Yorkshire, Bassetlaw and North Lincolnshire, with the first closures scheduled to take place in late January 2008. These branches were detailed in the Area Plan proposal published on 2 October 2007.

The replacement of 24 branches by outreach solutions was also confirmed in principle today subject to final agreement with Postwatch. Post Office Ltd is now working on finalising the details of the specific solution that replaces each branch, and this information will be published shortly. The outreach solutions could include a mobile service visiting small communities at set times, a hosted service operated within third party premises for restricted hours each week, or a partner service within the premises of a local partner.

Three branches originally proposed for closure – Bailgate in Lincoln, Brackenborough Road in Louth and New Hexthorpe in Doncaster – will now remain open following a review of the issues raised during consultation and of factors relating to geography, the availability of local transport and access to alternative branches, local demographics and the impact on local economies.

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Decisions on East Essex and Suffolk Post Office® Branches Announced

Posted by | Dec 13, 2007 | |

Post Office Ltd today announced decisions on the future of Post Office® branches across East Essex and Suffolk area following a six week public consultation ending on 19 November. Post Office® services will be provided through a network of 357 branches, which supports the national accessibility criteria introduced by the Government and ensures that 99 pct of the county’s population will either see no change to their existing branch or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

The plan confirmed today means that 47 branches will close in East Essex and Suffolk with the first closures scheduled to take place in January 2008. These branches were detailed in the Area Plan proposal published on 9 October 2007.

The replacement of 17 branches by outreach solutions was also confirmed in principle today subject to final agreement with Postwatch. Post Office Ltd is now working on finalising the details of the specific solution that replaces each branch, this information will be published shortly. The outreach solutions could include a mobile service visiting small communities at set times, a hosted service operated within third party premises for restricted hours each week, or a partner service within the premises of a local partner .

Three branches originally proposed for closure – Fore Street, Honeycroft Lawford and Warley Road (Hill) – will now remain open following a review of the issues raised during consultation. One of the proposed closures, Cretingham branch, will now be considered as a proposal for an outreach solution.

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Consumers bank on the post rather than online for managing finances

Posted by | Dec 13, 2007 | |

A new survey investigating the attitudes of UK consumers towards their finances has revealed that nine out of ten people (88 per cent) prefer to receive physical copies of bank statements through the letterbox rather than relying only on online banking.
The research, undertaken by the Henley Centre in conjunction with Royal Mail, has also revealed that when it comes to safe delivery of confidential information, seven out of ten (70 per cent) people trust the post more than email. In a time when consumer concerns about identity theft and the level of personal information held by organisations are running high, the issue of trust and security is a key factor when it comes to communicating confidential financial information.
The survey, “Beyond the Gate: Making a Statement,” provides an insight into household financial organisation and the role of the post in the changing media environment.
Despite the rise in internet banking, even those who do manage their finances online still rely on their posted bank statements to check their finances, with 68 per cent of internet bankers preferring to receive banking details through the door. The study also shows that the most common activity of online bankers is for checking balances with 86 per cent using websites to keep track of their spending.
Two thirds (67 per cent) of respondents say it is easier to read and understand details from a statement than a computer screen. It appears the posted statement plays a role more complex than information provision, as less than a quarter of consumers have printed out details of their financial status from the internet.
Other interesting statistics from the research include:
– 77 per cent like to receive details marketing new financial products and services through the post
– When researching new financial services, 15 per cent prefer to receive information through the post – almost as many as seek details from price comparison websites (16 per cent).

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