Royal Mail has revealed how it plans to tackle Watford's chronic postal delays during the run-up to Christmas.

The stuttering service has plagued the town and surrounding areas for months, raising questions over how it will handle the busiest time of year.

However, the company told the Watford Observer it now has "dedicated teams responsible for improving deliveries" locally, and it is understood there are already eight new posties operating in the area.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We are committed to restoring our quality of service to our customers. We have plans in place and dedicated teams responsible for improving deliveries in Watford and at our delivery offices nationwide."

Additional pressure is believed to have been placed on the service recently due to a competitor reportedly reducing its Watford capacity.

To manage the increased demand, Royal Mail has upped the number of staff at the town's delivery office, and along with the new posties it is still recruiting two more.

Watford Observer: There have been previous delays in Watford. There have been previous delays in Watford. (Image: Sl Wong)

There are also understood to be 22 agency employees who have been brought in to help with the festive period.

The spokesperson added: “These actions plus others are already making a difference in some areas and we are confident that they will continue to improve quality of service for our customers.”

Postal delays have affected many people living in Watford in recent months, with some residents not having letters and parcels delivered for weeks at a time. 

Watford Observer: Royal Mail have hired new posties to help with the pressure. Royal Mail have hired new posties to help with the pressure.

Steve Cox, a Labour borough councillor for South Oxhey, said: “We have written to the delivery office to share concerns about the delays but are yet to hear anything back. There is a doubt that the letter even made it to the office because of the slow response.

“It is not good how slow it is. With Christmas coming up I am worried there will be another issue like the postal vote a few months ago.”

The letter, which was sent by the Chair of South Oxhey Labour, Joan King, said: “There has been a great deal of negative comment on a number of Facebook sites concerning the frequency of deliveries with many claims that people go days on end without a delivery of post.”