Move to regulate Channel Islands postal services

Mr Riseley said the aim was to ensure islanders got value for money

Both Guernsey and Jersey Post will be set delivery targets by the Channel Islands' regulator.

It will follow a public consultation on what benchmarks the postal companies should be achieving.

Andrew Riseley, chief executive of the regulator, said with little competition in the local markets it was important customers received value for money.

He said they would work with the companies to ensure the efficiency targets were realistic.

The regulator has proposed a next working day target of 82% for standard and 95% for recorded mail sent between the islands and the UK.

The postal companies would also have targets of 97% for standard and 100% for recorded mail to be delivered within three working days.

These targets will not apply to bulk mail customers as Mr Riseley said they did not need the same regulatory protection as they are able to negotiate special arrangements with postal suppliers.

Anyone wanting to comment can do so until Monday, 23 July.

The regulator plans to issue a final decision in August before bringing in changes from September to allow data to be collected.

It is expected the first report on quality of service would be published in February 2013.