An Oxfordshire MP has visited a Royal Mail office this week following concerns with unpredictable postal deliveries in Banbury. 

Victoria Prentis was visiting the town's delivery office to see what is being done to improve the situation locally and told staff that residents are missing hospital appointments as a result of delays.

Ms Prentis met the leadership team to discuss her constituents’ concerns and toured the delivery office to see how the post is sorted and processed.

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Commenting on the visit, she said: “Some constituents have written to me over recent months to tell me they are concerned with the unpredictability of mail deliveries to their addresses.

“Having made representations to Royal Mail since the summer, I asked to visit the Banbury Delivery Office last week given that the situation doesn’t seem to be improving in Ruscote, Easington, Neithrop, Drayton and Bloxham.

Oxford Mail: MP Victoria Prentis visits Banbury Royal Mail office

“It was useful to meet the leadership team to discuss my constituents’ concerns. The customer operations lead assured me that Royal Mail are taking the situation very seriously.

“I was pleased to hear that deliveries are being made to the vast majority of addresses six days a week, when there is mail to deliver.

"I explained that residents are most worried that they are missing hospital appointments because of delays.

“I was reassured to hear that the team have a system in place for flicking through the mail as soon as it arrives to pull out NHS letters to ensure they are delivered as a priority.

“I was told that recent challenges have arisen from the loss of some experienced staff which has led to knowledge gaps in those areas most affected.

“With unemployment so low locally, the customer operations lead has found recruiting replacements challenging.

“Although seven new postmen and women have been onboarded in the past few months, the team are looking to fill more positions.

“Overall, it was clear from my visit that delivering a reliable service remains the team’s top priority.

“They remain focused on maximising the service and ensuring that deliveries are consistently made to all addresses six days a week. I have asked the team to keep me updated on progress and will be following the situation closely."

The MP said any constituents with concerns can contact here by emailing victoria.prentis.mp@parliament.uk.

Mrs Prentis’ planned trip comes just one week after Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds made a surprise trip to a Royal Mail office in Littlemore.

Ms Dodds entered through an unlocked door and found stacks of undelivered letters and parcels before she was asked to leave.

Those interested in applying for a job at the Royal Mail should visit https://jobs.royalmailgroup.com/.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1