Guernsey Post expects no problems this Xmas

GUERNSEY POST is on course for a very happy Christmas. The commercialised utility came under fire two years ago when the festive post suffered major delays and misdeliveries.

But the company believes that it has now turned things around. And the latest figures show that deliveries are well on track.

'Christmas 2002 is a long way behind us,' said operations manager Boley Smillie.

'Morale is very good. Everybody is tired but we are maintaining the good quality that we provide throughout the year, which is exceptional for a postal service to achieve.'

So far in December, 1.8m. items have been delivered in the Bailiwick and the commercialised utility is forecasting that around 2.5m. will be delivered by Christmas Eve.

So far this month, items posted have exceeded 1.6m.

Forecasts are for more than 2.2m. items up to the last despatch on 23 December.

In the past three days alone, the company has delivered more than 160,000 items each day, compared with a normal 70,000.

Of the 900,000 items posted on-island for local addresses, 450,000 have been sent at the discounted 20p rate.

Mr Smillie said that during the Christmas operation there was always three peaks of traffic: local-to-local mail, arriving UK mail and flower boxes.

He said that the 20p rate for local cards was offered to lighten the cost for customers but also to try and encourage them to post earlier in order to reduce the size of the peaks and allow the company to maintain service levels.

'The indications are that most people appear to have posted before the deadline, which is extremely helpful in getting so much of the mail delivered in time for Christmas.

'I'm confident that the vast majority will be delivered on time. At this time, things are running well - the automated equipment is such a help and the goodwill of the staff is invaluable.'

Watchdog Postwatch has been carrying out daily checks on the Guernsey Post sorting office, making sure that no backlog has materialised.

'It's quite common in the postal industry to manage the backlog by spreading it over the Christmas period but we have managed to maintain service standards and clear the local and first-class UK mail everyday for next-day delivery, except when the mail plane was delayed by fog.

'Our success this Christmas is the direct result of the determination of all postal staff, most of whom are working at least 11 hours a day. It's a very busy time of year for us, but the morale in the sorting office is very good.'

There will be extra letter deliveries this Sunday and additional roadside box and retail outlet clearances will continue throughout the weekend.

Envoy House will also extend its opening hours - the retail counter will open on Saturday from 8.30am to 4pm and customer services will remain open until 4pm to assist with any enquiries.

In addition, the parcels collection counter will open this Sunday from 7am to 4pm. Customers must bring the card left at their address and a form of photo ID.

Wednesday was the last day for discounted local Christmas mail to be posted and yesterday was the last day for them to be delivered.

In order to arrive in time for Christmas, mail must be posted by Monday 20 December for the UK or Jersey, Tuesday 21 for the Bailiwick and Wednesday 22 for on-island delivery.

Mr Smillie said that the post office was expected to be busy this weekend, including clearing 85,000 flower boxes for delivery to the UK.

Additional surface and air transport has been laid on to cope with the volume.