Rhoda Grant MSP Seeks Views on Orkney Postcode

17th June 2014

Highlands and Islands (Scottish Labour) MSP Rhoda Grant is seeking views from Orkney constituents on their current Royal Mail postal service and postcode.

The North MSP launched a campaign at the beginning of this year which seeks to introduce a new postcode for Caithness and Sutherland, separating the North Highland mainland area from the shared KW, Orkney postcode. Initial discussions with Royal Mail revealed that the KW code was an abbreviation for Kirkwall, which highlighted not only questions around the quality of the service operationally but also to questions about local identity and what benefits separating out the postcodes could mean for business and tourism.

Mr Grant said:

"I have sought views on the establishment of a separate Caithness and Sutherland postcode from a wide range of individuals and community groups across the North Highland area and I am now keen to hear what the views of those living on Orkney are.

"Royal Mail have said previously that before they consider any change to the Caithness and Sutherland postcode they would need clear evidence that quality of service was affected by the current set up and on top of this there would then need to be a ballot of all those living in the postal area affected.

"Although the change would impact on Caithness and Sutherland, with Orkney retaining its current KW postcode, I understand that those living in Orkney would still be consulted."

"Figures recently released by Royal Mail highlighted that they are falling short of their delivery performance targets in the KW postcode area with second class mail delivery performing 10.7% below the national target for delivery within three working days, however, this is not just an issue about the quality of service but one of identity. I want people to think of KW and think of Kirkwall or CS and think of John O'Groats, Wick or Thurso, and also end the confusion associated with the postcode which causes websites and businesses to assume incorrectly you are on the mainland or on the island."

Constituents are being encouraged to send their views on the postcode campaign, the quality of service they receive and if they support a separation from the mainland postcode to Rhoda Grant by e-mailing, Rhoda.Grant.MSP[AT]Scottish.Parliament.Uk , writing to Rhoda Grant MSP, PO BOX 5717, Inverness, IV1 1YT or by calling the constituency office on 01463 716299 to register their views.

Scotland's top performing postcode was TD (Scottish Borders) which achieved a performance of 95.2%. This was followed by Motherwell (94.7%), Dundee and Kilmarnock (94.6%), Falkirk (94.4%), Aberdeen (94.3%), Perth (94.1%) Glasgow (94.0%), Edinburgh and Kirkcaldy (93.8%) Inverness (93.6%), Dumfries and Galloway (93.5%) and the PA postcode area achieving 93.0%. Scotland has three exceptions to the targets, ZE, KW and HS which are considered geographically remote. KW performed at 87.8%.