Royal Mail trials new doorstep mail collection service in Rochdale

Royal Mail

Royal Mail is to trial a new doorstep mail collection service for residential customers in Rochdale as postmen or postwomen delivers on their rounds.

The trial, which will run over the next two months, is the first time that postmen and women have collected letters and small parcels direct from customers in urban areas.

Customers will be able to give first class or second class stamped or online postage paid letters and small packets to their postman or woman for delivery instead of taking them to a post box or post office branch.

Customers can also handover prepaid postage such as business replies and freepost items.

A special leaflet will be sent to every residential address in Rochdale detailing the service.

Delivery Director Ady Fielding, said: “We are delighted to be trialling this new doorstep collection service in Rochdale. We hope that it will be well received by customers. This pilot also shows that Royal Mail is listening to its customers and is keen to offer new services which we believe customers are looking for “

The trial is part of Royal Mail’s plans to offer new services to customers as it continues to modernise its business. The service will also be trialled in, Bexleyhealth (DA) Purley (CR) and Urmston (M).

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has been working with Royal Mail in developing this new pilot service.

After the two month trial period the new pilot service will be evaluated to assess whether there is demand for the service to be rolled out more widely.

Customers in rural areas have always been able to give stamped letters to their postman or woman, given their distance from a post office branch.

Postmen and women will not be able to collect parcels, international items, items that require proof of posting or special delivery items. Customers will be advised to take these items to the nearest Post Office or a Royal Mail delivery office.

Business mail such as franked mail or postage paid impression mail can also not be picked up by the postman or woman. Business customers need to contact customer services to arrange these collections.