Man hits out at Royal Mail as key letter arrives late

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/ ... ives-late/

A MAN has hit out at Royal Mail over postal delays after a letter about his disability benefits arrived a month late.

David Thatcher said he received a "stack" of letters on Tuesday, March 3, many of which were weeks old.

It included letters from the tax office and the NHS, as well as one from Worcester City Council dated February 3.

"The oldest one was from January 18 and I have a couple of letters that I have been waiting for, important letters which I knew had been posted from the council about my benefits," Mr Thatcher said.

"Everything arrived at once."

He said the delay in receiving letters from Worcester City Council were of particular concern as the authority is supporting him with bathroom refurbishments that will make his shower safer for him to use.

"Because I have mobility problems, the council is helping me to refurbish my bathroom so I don't have to try and step over the bath, I can walk into a walk-in shower.

"If I try to step over the bath, I could fall.

"I waited weeks for the letter to come."

The 71-year-old, who lives near Worcester city centre, said it is not the first time he has faced postal delays in recent months.

He has described the delays as "maddening", saying that letters act as a "lifeline" for people like him.

"This is not the first time that I have received a stack of letters," he said. "All my Christmas cards came late.

"Being disabled, letters are like a lifeline. If I am sitting here waiting for the postman to come, it's terrible.

"It's maddening."

In recent months, numerous Worcester News readers have reported similar problems with their post, including letters about important NHS appointments.

Royal Mail said it was not aware of any current issues at Worcester Delivery Office and that the "vast majority" of mail was being delivered as normal.

"We are sorry to hear of Mr Thatcher’s experience," a spokesperson said. "We understand how concerning it can be when important post does not arrive as expected

"The vast majority of mail in Worcester is delivered as normal.

"Where short-term delays do occur, these are usually caused by local factors such as resourcing pressures or higher volumes, and targeted action is taken to maintain deliveries and minimise disruption."