Royal Mail misses annual delivery targets amid £500m investment plan
A new nationwide delivery model is being introduced, subject to union consultation, that includes scrapping Saturday deliveries of second-class post
By Chester Standard
Royal Mail’s planned postal shake-up could mean fewer second-class letter deliveries for households and businesses across Cheshire.
Royal Mail customers in Cheshire could see changes to second-class post under a nationwide delivery shake-up being phased in by the company.
The postal operator has missed its annual delivery targets for another year, despite saying it is making progress and investing £500 million to improve reliability.
The changes include plans to scrap Saturday deliveries for second-class post, subject to union consultation, while second-class letters would also move to an every-other-weekday delivery model.
First-class post and parcels are expected to continue under separate delivery arrangements.
Royal Mail said 75.7% of first-class mail arrived the next working day in the year to the end of March 2026. That was below Ofcom’s target of 90%.
Second-class performance was also below target, with 90.2% of mail delivered within three working days, compared with the regulator’s 95% target.
The company said storms and higher staff sickness over the winter had affected its performance.
Ofcom has said it is concerned about the latest figures and is expected to consider next steps over Royal Mail’s service levels.
Royal Mail says its £500 million investment plan will help improve reliability over the next five years.
The company has begun phasing in a new letter delivery model across the country, with changes expected to be introduced through delivery offices before the Christmas peak period.
For Cheshire households, the practical effect would be most noticeable for people who still rely on second-class letters, including appointment letters, statements, official notices and non-urgent correspondence.
Businesses that send invoices, customer letters or marketing by post may also need to allow longer delivery windows if second-class services are reduced.
The changes come as more communication moves online, but postal delays can still affect people who depend on letters for health, legal, financial or council-related information.
Royal Mail said it aims to improve first-class next-day delivery to around 85% within nine months of the reforms being introduced, before reaching the 90% Ofcom target within a year.
It also says it wants second-class performance to improve as the new model is rolled out.
Customers sending important documents are advised to check the latest Royal Mail guidance and consider whether first-class, tracked or signed-for services are more suitable.
The reforms remain subject to consultation with union members.