Carla Lockhart MP said:

“Following my high-level meeting with Royal Mail senior management, I have now received written confirmation that four new staff members will begin work at Banbridge Delivery Office this week and next.

This recruitment is a direct response to the resourcing pressures which have resulted in unacceptable delivery delays in parts of Banbridge and surrounding areas. While four new starts will not solve every structural issue overnight, it is a clear acknowledgement that the office has been under-resourced and it is a step in the right direction.

Constituents have raised serious concerns with me about delayed post, particularly hospital appointment letters. When vital correspondence is arriving late, the consequences can be very real for patients and families.

I want to be absolutely clear that this is not a criticism of our local postmen and postwomen. They work extremely hard and are deeply committed to serving our community. My concerns are directed at senior management and the wider strategic decisions which have led to staffing gaps and service pressures.

I have also raised directly the issue of hospital correspondence, much of which is currently issued as economy mail and can sit before entering the delivery system. That is simply not good enough when people are waiting on time-sensitive medical information. I will be raising this further with the Health Trust and the Health Minister.

Postal habits may have changed nationally, but that cannot be used as an excuse for delayed service locally. Banbridge residents deserve a reliable postal service.

I will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure these additional staff translate into real and sustained improvements in delivery times for local residents.”