Postal service sees targets slip a little

THE ROYAL Mail slipped below its target of delivering most first-class letters on time at the end of 2012, new figures revealed.

Between 24 September and 2 December, 91.2 per cent of first-class letters were deliverd by next day, below the target of 93 per cent.

The 98.5 per target for second-class mail delivered within three working days of posting was achieved, while 94.8 per of standard parcels were delivered on time, 4.8 per cent ahead of target.

Royal Mail said its performance was affected by the pre-Christmas rush, snow and rain. Mark Higson, Royal Mail’s managing director of operations said: “This is traditionally our toughest quarter with a seasonal increase in volumes, notably parcels, and the likelihood of bad weather.”