First class deliveries must improve in the cities, Postwatch says

However, the latest figures show that delivery times for first class mail are improving.

Royal Mail says in the first quarter of 2005 only the Cardiff postcode missed the target of 92.5% of first class post arriving the next working day.

But the company admitted it still had problems in south and west Wales.

Figures released by the Royal Mail show that approximately four in every five households and businesses in Wales had a below standard of service for first class mail during 2004/05.

The lowest figure was in Newport where only 89.7% was delivered on time, the same as the previous 12 months.

In Swansea, the rate of next-day deliveries rose 1.3% to 90.6%. In Cardiff the rise was 1.6% to 90.7%.

The minimum national target is 92.5%.

However, the Royal Mail has improved its delivery performance in six out of the eight Welsh postcodes.

'Price increases'

Shrewsbury & Mid-Wales had the highest rise from 3.9% to 92.4%.

Eifion Pritchard, Chairman of Postwatch Wales, said the watchdog would follow the Royal Mail's action in underperforming areas

He said: "Royal Mail's service is showing signs of improvement, and Postwatch welcomes efforts to drive up the quality of service customers receive.

"There remain, however, many areas throughout Wales, notably Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport, where the first class post service remains unacceptably poor and needs to improve.

Royal Mail praised its delivery staff for the improved service at the beginning of this year, saying radical business changes it had made had improved its performance, and predicting more improvements.

"Postmen and women have worked exceptionally hard to deliver a better service," a spokesman said.

The area manager for south Wales, Paul Kelly said the figures made positive reading, but admitted to problems in some areas.