November 2002

Independent carriers claim to be covering much of the extra traffic released to the parcels market following service restructuring by Parcelforce Worldwide in the summer - although not necessarily at the same rates. Securicor Omega, for instance, says it has enhanced its terminal operations over weekends and introduced additional shifts at its major Hatfield hub to process the increased volumes.

According to one user, book distribution specialist TPS, problems caused by the restructuring of Parcelforce were unavoidable; but distribution director Phil Hussey says Securicor "has reacted positively through the provision of more vehicles and staff to deal with the impact."

Royal Mail chairman Alan Leighton is unrepentant over the service changes, arguing that the withdrawal from 'unprofitable' business was inevitable to help ensure future viability. Royal Mail is currently battling with Postcomm, the postal regulator, over the tight timetable proposed for postal deregulation, and has recently complained that rigorous price restraints would eat up most of a 1p increase proposed in the basic first-class postage rate.