Mail chiefs have received 140 environmentally friendly, double-deck trailers from the Altrincham-based manufacturer. Each trailer can carry 50% more mail than conventional single-deck trailers.

Steven Cartwright, director of The Cartwright Group, said: “It is obviously very satisfying to conclude such a major deal with the Royal Mail.

“Everyone at the Cartwright Group is delighted that the Royal Mail has again come to us to meet their trailer needs. Over the years we have had a very good, productive relationship with the Royal Mail. We look forward to it continuing for many years to come.’’

After consultations with Royal Mail, The Cartwright Group designed and supplied 13.6 metre long, 4.44 metre high, GRP van-sided stepframe, triaxle double-deck trailers with a hydraulic moving deck floor. Each trailer holds approximately 100,000 items of mail – the equivalent of a day’s post for Carlisle.

Royal Mail turned to Cartwright to help reduce the environmental impact of its distribution network. It estimates that the Cartwright trailers will reduce the road miles and carbon emissions of that part of its operation by 20%.

This is the latest in a series of deals between the two companies which have seen the manufacturer produce innovative trailers to meet Royal Mail’s specific needs.

Royal Mail Network Director Paul Tolhurst said: “We are motoring towards our goal of creating a greener transport fleet.

“Measures such as the double-deck trailers help improve our efficiency and we know that improved business performance goes hand in hand with improved environmental performance.’’