Perfect storm threatens Christmas gift deliveries

Parcels may be delayed by icy roads, gale-force winds and heavy fog forecast to hit UK in next few days

CHRISTMAS parcels could be delayed by storms and high winds, delivery drivers have warned, as they urged the public to be “patient”.

The union Unite, which represents 50,000 lorry drivers including for the Royal Mail, said it was advising members to check forecasts ahead of deliveries as dire weather closes in on the UK.

The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for swathes of the country and said winds would reach up to 70mph in the coming days.

Yesterday, the RAC warned drivers heading off for Christmas to leave 45 minutes early to factor in potential traffic chaos caused by the weather.

Unite, whose haulage drivers work for some of the UK’S largest supermarkets, said it did not anticipate weather affecting goods on shop shelves.

However, it said the adverse conditions could impact other deliveries and put drivers at risk.

Adrian Jones, Unite national officer for the haulage industry, said: “We advise drivers to check the weather before they start their route and check periodically to ensure things don’t worsen. If a driver believes that it would be unsafe to start or continue their route then they have the protection of health-and-safety regulations. We expect bosses to act in the interests of their employees and other road users, not just in the interests of profits.”

The Met Office has said that weather is set to turn over the coming days with parts of the country, including the Midlands, set to see heavy fog and ice.

Coastal areas are also due to experience gale-force winds, with the forecaster warning that road conditions will be affected.

The RAC warned drivers making their Christmas getaway this week to check oil, coolant, wipers and tyre tread beforehand to avoid unnecessary breakdowns in the harsh conditions.

Simon Williams, RAC spokesman, said: “This time of year there will be more people on the roads doing longer journeys than they would normally do and the weather conditions can make that far more difficult.

“If you have a combination of rain and fog you need to be leaving much greater distance behind you and from the car in front, to have that much more time to stop should you need to.”

♦ Britain could be set for another summer heatwave, as the Met Office has predicted that 2020 will be among the warmest years ever.

In its annual global temperature forecast, the Met Office predicts 2020 will be around 1.11C above pre-industrial levels, extending the series of the Earth’s hottest years since records began in 1850. In 2015 global temperatures exceeded 1C above pre-industrial levels for the first time, while 2016 remains the hottest year on record at around 1.16C above the baseline.