15/07/2002

Consignia launch new pilot delivery scheme

The second post has been abolished in 14 areas of the UK, as part of a pilot scheme looking at ways to save delivery firm Consignia.

Ballymena is one of the areas included in the scheme, which aims to save the company around £350m a year if it is introduced nationwide.

From Monday July 15, homes and businesses in the selected areas will only get one delivery a day, with no guarantee that it will be before 9am unless a fee is paid.

However, instead of a flat rate fee of £14, which had been originally planned, Consignia confirmed on Sunday that three price bands would instead be introduced, with businesses and individuals having to pay either £5, £10 or £14 if they get fewer than 20 letters a day.

Postwatch, the postal industry regulator, has supported the pilot scheme. However, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Northern Ireland has hit out at the plans.

(MB)


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