Most alternative mail providers, eg. UK Mail, contract out to Royal Mail as their "last mile provider,” meaning that mail sent through these services will still suffer heavy delays.

Cycle 4 U, on the other hand, doesn't rely on Royal Mail for collections or deliveries and can keep important letters and parcels getting around the countries second city.

“By utilising an experienced team of local, professional cyclists, our ultra-low carbon service is the alternative for postal and parcel deliveries within the Birmingham area” Steve Young, Operations Supervisor at Cycle 4 U.

“Not only can we compete with Royal Mail in terms of price, but also speed of service and reliability.”

Apart from Cycle 4 U, the only other licensed mail service operating normally in the West Midlands during the strike periods will be Yellow Jersey Delivery, a cycle courier service, based in Coventry.

The Communication Workers Union are potentially planning further strikes on the run up to Christmas creating even more delays to post and package deliveries at the busiest time of the year.

Many businesses are continuing to turn to alternative mail providers due to an increasing lack of reliability within Royal Mail operations.