Gloucester MP raises concern with Evri deliveries

The MP for Gloucester has written to delivery company, Evri, expressing concern about the "poor service" in the city.

In the letter, which was sent on Tuesday, Alex McIntyre said he had been made aware of a "wide range of issues", from "delayed deliveries to abandoned parcels and claims that parcels have been delivered with no evidence".

He also noted that he has had "positive feedback" from residents where an "established driver" is in place.

In response, a spokesperson for Evri said it apologised to customers in Gloucester who had "experienced issues".

Mr McIntyre said he has been contacted by constituents who are worried that their Christmas gifts might not arrive on time or could be "abandoned" on doorsteps in "plain view of passers by".

He also raised concerns with the company's "culture", and the idea that drivers are encouraged to take "less and less care in the service they provide" in order to "make a living".

"I was shocked to learn that the introduction by Evri in January of a 'small packets' parcel size could mean that drivers delivering a large volume of these parcels in a day end up working for less than the minimum wage," he said.

"If this is the reality for drivers it is no wonder we are in this situation during the busy festive period."

The Labour MP is asking for reassurance from the company that it has procedures in place to manage increased seasonal demand and support its staff.

An Evri spokesperson said its priority is to "handle every parcel with care".

"We recognise that there have been some service issues due to third-party support that was brought in, and the appropriate action will be taken to address this with our delivery partner in the area.

"We know how important each parcel is, and anyone who still needs help can get in touch with our dedicated customer service team."

It follows reports last month of a third party delivery driver for Evri taking parcels from doorsteps after allegedly taking proof of delivery pictures.

And earlier this month, Wes from Cheltenham said he saw hundreds of packages left outside in the rain for at least half an hour by the Evri delivery depot near Swindon Village Park.

"A lot of these parcels were being laid out on the ground next to vans, which I thought was a bit peculiar because it was absolutely teeming it down with rain and it was quite a muddy grass verge they were putting the parcels on," he added.

In relation to this incident, and Evri spokesperson said it has a "robust cage-to-cage-to-car process in place so parcels are loaded to vehicles with care", and it apologised this process was not followed.

A number of MPs, including representatives for Gosport, Bournemouth East and Poole, have also written to the delivery company with concerns since the start of the month.

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