The Olympics is likely to play havoc with the timing of direct mail campaigns in London – especially if designed to coincide with other activity – after Royal Mail admitted it is powerless to prevent delays.
The extra congestion generated by the Olympics will see some mail being held in the system for at least an extra day, Royal Mail has said. Meanwhile Parcelforce is slapping on a £1 charge for delivering to parts of London during the event.
Royal Mail said it had worked with Locog and Transport for London to “secure sufficient access” to be able to deliver, collect, sort and transport business and customer mail during the Olympic period from 27 July to 9 September.
Postmen and women will start their delivery rounds earlier because of the extra travelling time they will need due to transport restrictions imposed by the Olympic Route Network (ORN) and Paralympic Route Network (PRN).
Households and businesses in the postcodes of E, EC, N, NW, SE, SW, W and WC are being advised to post their mail earlier in the day than usual.
Customers posting mail to these areas should do so a day earlier than usual, Royal Mail said.
Mark Thomson, Olympic Director for Royal Mail, said: “Royal Mail is geared up to serve London during the Games. We will continue to collect and deliver six days a week despite the inevitable impact on the capital’s transport system.”
Parcelforce Worldwide said in common with other delivery companies it would be introducing an extra charge for delivery in the postcode areas affected by the Games.
