Posties prepare for busy Christmas

Peterborough posties have been sifting through piles of presents and cards to make sure deliveries are made on time this Christmas.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Dec 2016, 06:05 BST
Updated 17th Dec 2016, 09:19 BST
Busiest day of the year vat the letter sorting office at Post Office centre at Werrington EMN-161213-160923009Busiest day of the year vat the letter sorting office at Post Office centre at Werrington EMN-161213-160923009
Busiest day of the year vat the letter sorting office at Post Office centre at Werrington EMN-161213-160923009

Tuesday was the busiest day of the year at the Royal Mail sorting office in Papyrus Road, Peterborough, with nearly two million items passing through.

A spokesman for the Royal Mail said a number of measures had been taken to make sure letters, cards and parcels would get to their intended recipients - with or without Santa’s help.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “ Peterborough Mail Centre is expecting to have processed around 1.8 million items on Tuesday, on its busiest day of the year during our busiest week.

Most Popular
Busiest day of the year vat the letter sorting office at Post Office centre at Werrington. Clive Williams sorting letters EMN-161213-160936009Busiest day of the year vat the letter sorting office at Post Office centre at Werrington. Clive Williams sorting letters EMN-161213-160936009
Busiest day of the year vat the letter sorting office at Post Office centre at Werrington. Clive Williams sorting letters EMN-161213-160936009

“We have taken on 150 temporary staff to cope with the additional festive volumes, and there is an extra 38 vehicles to cope with the additional festive volumes.

“All our centres are now using finger scanners to help speed up our processing and provide extra information to our customers.”

Residents are also being advised about the deadline for post to be sent if they want it to arrive before Christmas.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The recommended last date for second class deliveries is Tuesday, December 20.

Busiest day of the year vat the letter sorting office at Post Office centre at Werrington EMN-161213-160949009Busiest day of the year vat the letter sorting office at Post Office centre at Werrington EMN-161213-160949009
Busiest day of the year vat the letter sorting office at Post Office centre at Werrington EMN-161213-160949009

For first class post, the last date is recommended to be Wednesday, December 21.

For special delivery, the last date is Thursday, December 22.

And for special delivery guaranteed, the last date is Friday, December 23.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, residents are being warned about planned strikes affecting Post Offices next week.

Busiest day of the year vat the letter sorting office at Post Office centre at Werrington EMN-161213-161000009Busiest day of the year vat the letter sorting office at Post Office centre at Werrington EMN-161213-161000009
Busiest day of the year vat the letter sorting office at Post Office centre at Werrington EMN-161213-161000009

Counter staff who are members of the CWU plan to walk out on December 19, December 20 and December 24.

Their fellow members who are cash-handlers and deliver money to branches are set to strike on December 22 and 23.

However, a spokesman for the Post Office said a majority of branches would not be affected, and the last posting dates have not changed.

Related topics:PostiesPeterboroughRoyal MailResidents