Postal workers thanked

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur and Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael today visited Kirkwall Delivery Office.

It was an opportunity to find out how the office has coped with this busiest period of the year and to thank staff for their efforts.

Mr McArthur and Mr Carmichael were shown around the Kirkwall Delivery Office and met with Charlie Alway, the Delivery Office Manager.

Commenting after the visit, Liam McArthur MSP said: “This is always the busy period of the year for Royal Mail staff. It is staggering to see the growth, even over the last year, in the number of packages and parcels that have to be sorted and delivered.

“Fortunately, so far the weather has been kinder this year and that has certainly helped. Nevertheless, there has been an incredible amount of work to do over recent weeks and it was good to be able to offer my thanks to all of the staff for their tremendous efforts.

“Christmas would not be the same without the postal service ensuring cards, gifts and even the occasional parliamentary report arrive on time. Hopefully everyone at the Kirkwall Delivery Office and across the network in Orkney can soon enjoy a well-deserved Christmas break.”

Alistair Carmichael added: “Royal Mail provides a tremendous service all year round, delivering to almost every door in the country six days a week. The lengths they go to at Christmas, however, are extraordinary.

“It is great to see the business thriving again. Although they lost a lot of business ten years ago when the letter post market was opened up to competition they are again the dominant force in that market. Add to that the changes we have seen with the massive increase in online shopping and the increases in parcel post that have come from that and you have a growing business with more potential to expand. The backbone of the business is still, and always will be the local postie. It is to them that we owe the biggest debt of gratitude.”

The last recommended posting dates for Christmas, with special delivery, is the 23rd. Royal Mail also advise to put a return address on the back of any cards sent.