A FED-UP Greenock man has hit out at Inverclyde's 'postal lottery' after Royal Mail failed to deliver to his house for TWO months.
Billy McVicar, who lives in Gibshill, is one of a number of people in the area who ended up having to join a queue at the Greenock sorting office to collect his own mail.
There he was handed a big bundle of undelivered mail - which should have arrived weeks earlier - including a birthday card for his grand-daughter with money enclosed, as well as important log books from the DVLA.
The retired director told the Tele that he was joined by others living nearby who had not received any mail, and some neighbours had even missed hospital appointments.
This comes on top of delays for some pupils waiting for exam certificates earlier this month and huge delays in Inverclyde on the run-up to Christmas.
Both Inverclyde MP Martin McCluskey and MSP Stuart McMillan slammed Royal Mail and urged action to resolve the issue.
Mr McVicar, who lives in Gibson Street, said: "It is ridiculous. When I went to the sorting office I was told by the staff that it is a mess, it is a post lottery in Inverclyde.
"Honestly we haven't any mail for two months, but vans pass our window every day delivering parcels.
"I was told at the sorting office that the bosses are prioritising parcels. But people get important letters delivered. I met people at the sorting office who had missed hospital appointments,
"I couldn't believe it when they handed me a big bundle of letters just sitting there."
Grandad Billy, who used to work for a sunbed firm, said that he was told that there were personnel issues.
He added: "There are so many people affected. I am fed up with it.
"My sister sent a card for my granddaughter's 12th birthday.
"She kept asking where it was, and that is why I ended up going to the sorting office myself."
Neighbour Lorna Farmer, 50, also hit out at the lack of a reliable service.
She said: "It is a real problem here. We are left waiting for post. I can't remember the last time I had a letter delivered.
"Obviously so much is online but there are still important letters that people need."
The patchy postal service has been an ongoing issue in Inverclyde with both Inverclyde MP Martin McCluskey and MSP Stuart McMillan in ongoing talks with Royal Mail bosses
Mr McCluskey says he has now written to Royal Mail.
He said: "The problems with Royal Mail deliveries in Greenock have been ongoing for some time, and they are simply not good enough for local residents.
"People should be able to rely on their post being delivered on time, particularly when it contains important documents or correspondence.
“It is particularly concerning to hear of residents having to go to the sorting office to find post that has been sitting there for weeks, and that some people may have missed important appointments as a result."
He added: “I’ll be writing to Royal Mail to ask for an update on the situation, what action is being taken to address the problems, and what preparations are being made ahead of Christmas.
"We have seen delivery issues during the Christmas period before, as well as problems with exam certificates in some areas, so it is important that lessons are learned."
“I would encourage anyone who is experiencing problems with their post to get in touch and let me know.
"In particular, if anyone has missed an appointment or experienced other difficulties because their post was not delivered, I’d be keen to hear from them."
Mr McMillan told the Tele that he has constituents contacting him every week to highlight issues.
He said: “In many cases, the response from the Royal Mail has been that it’s been a one-off error, or the route has been impacted by a postal worker being on annual leave or off sick.
“Human error happens from time to time in all walks of life, but I remain concerned that staffing levels are not sufficient.
“Given the number of people still raising concerns, I will be providing Consumer Scotland with more data regarding mail issues in Inverclyde at the end of the summer.
“I hope this will further help inform their research into postal issues across Scotland, and as always, I will keep having dialogue with the Royal Mail to help ensure constituents receive the service they are entitled to.”
When contacted by the Tele, Royal Mail said that the areas we highlighted had received mail on Friday.
They insisted that there are regular deliveries to all areas although occasionally there are delays.
Royal Mail confirmed that they are recruiting additional postal workers and bringing in further temporary resources, which will improve the local service.
The spokesman added: “We know how important it is for people to receive their mail when expected, particularly where it contains important or time-sensitive information.
“Mail is delivered across Greenock every day. However, individual routes can occasionally be affected by short-term local issues, and where this happens any outstanding mail is prioritised for delivery as quickly as possible.
"Nationally, more than 93 per cent of letters are currently delivered on time and more than 99 per centwithin a week, meaning longer delays are rare.
"A delay of two months would be highly unusual, and is not reflective of the service being provided in the area.
