Dundee West is to see changes to its postal delivery service as the latest area for Royal Mail’s modernisation programme.
Routes will be reorganised with postal staff working from vans and carrying parcels on lightweight trolleys to mark a change in trends in mail delivery.
Twelve part-time posts will be made full-time in the move, which Royal Mail say will improve the service for customers.
The modernisation programme ran into trouble when unveiled on Dundee East in the winter of 2010, as new work practices froze the service to a standstill in the worst weather in a generation.
Lessons were learned and the company say the time is right to introduce the new system in the west of the city from this week.
It has written to every address in DD2 and DD3 postcode areas to explain changes to the way it is delivering mail. Postmen and women will use new delivery methods and adopt revised delivery routes on a phased basis.
The nature of communication has changed with fewer letters posted every day, Royal Mail is reorganising its delivery routes.
Postmen and women will work from vans containing letters and parcels, which now represent a much bigger part of Royal Mail business with the growth in online shopping.
Lightweight trolleys will be used to allow them to wheel bulkier mail round the streets and not carry it on their backs, reducing the risk of injury and ensuring greater security.
Royal Mail will continue to deliver in the morning and for a longer period during the day, and many customers will continue to get their mail by lunchtime.
The time customers receive mail will depend on where they live on the new delivery route. When mail volumes vary, adjustments may be made to delivery arrangements and times.
There will be a period of adjustment for staff, but Royal Mail say they will do everything possible to maintain a high level of service, and they thanked customers for their understanding.
Collections and delivery sector manager Sarah Ward said: “We are proud of the high regard in which our postmen and women are held in Dundee West.
“The changes to delivery routes will mean that a member of our local and experienced team will still be delivering to our customers in Dundee West.
“The local delivery team and I are fully committed to providing a high quality of service that is as reliable and friendly as customers have come to expect from Royal Mail in Dundee West over many years.”
Queries can be directed to the customer services team on 0845 601 1399, while deaf and hard of hearing customers can use textphone at 0845 600 0606.