Cleeve hit by postal problems

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BUSINESSES in Bishop's Cleeve are suffering due to a poor postal service, councillors say.

The parish council has decided to write to Royal Mail for an explanation of why some parts of Cleeve are getting a late service.

Coun Peter Richmond said the service to the village had deteriorated in recent months.

"We clearly have a problem with the postal service in Bishop's Cleeve," he told councillors.

"People and businesses are having to put up with late deliveries because it seems postal routes have changed.


"Post is not getting to Bishop's Cleeve until late in the afternoon and businesses are being affected."

Last month, the Echo reported how people in Cheltenham had complained of poor service from the Royal Mail.

The postal group said that a change in the way it organises its rounds had been responsible for delays.

Parish council chairman Coun Peter Lightfoot said: "We need to establish if this is just teething problems or a longer-term problem."

Coun Phil Taylor said: "I certainly think we should write to Royal Mail. This problem may be having a detrimental effect on the wider community. It seems that rounds which have been developed for years have been changed."

However, some councillors said they had not experienced any problems with the post.

Coun Pat Rawlings, who represents Cleeve Grange, said: "I am finding that I am getting my post earlier than I used to.

"I find that the most reliable and regular people I come into contact with are my postman, dustman and milkman."

Coun Ann Lightfoot said: "I have found the post still to be quite regular. We should aim to find out what changes they have made and why they have made them."

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: "Within the last few weeks Royal Mail made significant changes to the way it works.

"This caused some minor disruption as the changes bedded in and for this we apologise.

"We are using all our available resources to make deliveries and we do not have a backlog of mail."