End of the mail plane and next-day delivery from the UK in sight?

Wednesday 17 May 2023

The Royal Mail is looking to make significant changes to the way post is moved from the UK to Jersey, hoping to introduce a ferry service and change Jersey's next-day delivery rules.

The proposed changes, which are currently out for consultation, are part of the Royal Mail's strategy to "simplify and update" their operation.

Jersey's mail currently arrives via a dedicated daily flight. However, the Royal Mail argues that, due to declining volumes of letters, using a ferry instead would offer a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. 

"Royal Mail keeps its operations under regular review. As part of this, Royal Mail and Jersey Post and Isle of Man Post Office are exploring the implications of changing from a flight to a ferry... This is in the context of declining letter volumes and would provide an opportunity to jointly reduce costs, while demonstrating our commitment to minimising our impact on the environment," the consultation document read.

It added: "This is also in line with Royal Mail's environmental plan, Steps to Zero, which looks to reduce reliance on flights as the company works towards its 2040 net zero target. It would result in a two-day service for sending and receiving mail from the UK."

The Royal Mail said that it is not reviewing the flight to and from the Bailiwick of Guernsey "at this stage", but added that "we may do so in the future." If the ferry changes are approved for Jersey, the Royal Mail would be able to make such a change "without further consultation".

Also proposed is a change in the definition of 'Due Date' in the Channel Islands to allow for additional working days for sending and receiving mail. 

Pictured: Royal Mail is considering changing its service to Jersey. 

The Royal Mail is bound by Ofcom regulations to offer a next-day delivery service. This means that, for customers who pay for First Class delivery, the 'Due Date' for a package sent is the following working day from the date of posting. For customers who pay Second Class, the 'Due Date' is the third working day following the date of posting. 

Jersey is not bound by Ofcom regulations but it has nonetheless historically had the same 'Due Dates' as the UK. 

However, the Royal Mail now wishes to change these to allow for an extra working day for packages to arrive in the Channel Islands.

Royal Mail said that this change "would allow us to continue to offer a reliable service" to the island, without being bound by Ofcom regulations. 

The cost of sending letters locally and to the UK rose at the beginning of the year, partly as a result of the volume of mail being sent declining while operating costs - including transit and fuel - increased significantly.

The consultation will be open until 2 June. Any changes will take effect on 3 August. You can view the consultation document HERE.

Express has contacted Jersey Post for comment.