Labour politicians have clashed with Royal Mail over an alleged backlog of letters in a Sheffield neighbourhood.
Councillor Ibby Ullah claims there is “widespread missing post” in his ward of Nether Edge and Sharrow, with some residents waiting more than four weeks, leading to missed hospital appointments and important mail.
She added: “This isn’t acceptable. I’m working with our MP Abtisam Mohamed to demand answers from Royal Mail. Residents deserve better.”
But Royal Mail insists that “at no point” has there been four weeks’ worth of mail in the Sheffield South sorting office which serves the area.
Snow and ice and sickness had caused a build-up but customers were receiving mail “at least every other day,” they said.
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Severe snowfall and ice at the start of January caused short-term disruption at Sheffield South delivery office.
“During this period, we prioritised the safety of our staff and were unable to deliver to addresses. This created a temporary build-up of mail, which was compounded by high sickness absence.
“We took action to clear delayed items and have been maintaining regular deliveries as sickness levels began to improve. At no point has there been four weeks’ worth of mail in the office.”
Sick absence has reduced slightly over the past two weeks, allowing improved progress in clearing delayed items, they added.
Earlier this month, Charlotte Webster, of Nether Edge, claimed Royal Mail cost-cutting restrictions on overtime meant workers were unable to tackle the backlog.
A Royal Mail spokesperson said they use overtime where it is necessary, and it had not been stopped.