Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell experienced what is involved in delivering the post when he joined local postman Ross Shearer on his delivery round in the Shawhill and Springbells area of Annan on Friday 8 March.
Mr Mundell is one of a number of local MPs being invited to go out with postmen and women across Scotland to see the lengths Royal Mail goes to, to deliver the post.
The purpose of the visits is to give MPs a unique insight into the challenges of delivering mail to every house and business in their constituency, six days a week.
Dermot McCulloch, Royal Mail Delivery Office Manager, who briefed Mr Mundell before he set off on his walk said: “We’re delighted that Mr Mundell is taking the time to experience the every day challenges faced by our delivery postmen and women.
“The visit gave us the opportunity to show Mr Mundell how we are modernising and transforming the organisation. We are investing in new sorting and delivery equipment as we respond to the changing nature of the modern postbag. We are delivering more parcels and fewer letters than ever before and the tools for the job need to reflect that.”
Mr Mundell said: “Postmen and women perform an incredibly important function in our rural communities, not just delivering communication, but being one of the institutions in society that binds us together for the common good.
“As someone who both receives and sends out a lot of mail, I wanted to get a real understanding of the work that goes into delivering the mail on a daily basis. There can be no better way of getting that insight than actually going out and doing the job alongside a delivery postman. I joined local postman Ross Shearer who has been delivering mail to customers in Annan for over twelve years. I was really impressed with Ross’ speed in getting round the doors and hope I didn’t slow him down too much!”
Royal Mail is currently reviewing and modernising its operation, which means every part of the process from collecting, transporting, sorting and delivering the mail is being improved to increase efficiency.