Cheltenham postman lifts lid on Royal Mail

[Stormproof]

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Cheltenham postman lifts lid on Royal Mail

A FORMER postman has turned whistleblower to explain why a Cheltenham estate is suffering from a poor mail service.

He says people in Battledown are getting irregular deliveries because the round is completed by posties who have already finished another round.

The claim comes after the Echo reported that a couple from the estate were receiving mail as infrequently as once a fortnight. The retired postman, who wants to remain anonymous, said: "The reason they aren't getting their post regularly is because the managers haven't scheduled it as a round yet.

"It means whoever is the first person to finish their normal round is sent out to start delivering in Battledown.

"But by the time they get there, or pretty soon after, their shift is up. That means only a few of the letters will be delivered on the first round and, maybe later on, a few more will get put through the doors.

"It's a poor service and the Royal Mail knows it, but they're not in a hurry to put it right."

The couple featured in last weekend's paper, Robert and Clare Black, said they had endured seven months of poor service since moving to Yorkley Road.

Mrs Black's marketing business had been harmed by cheques for up to £5,000 being delayed by a fortnight.

They say the service has improved since the story hit the front page, despite some mail not being delivered until 8pm.

Mr Black, 54, said: "It has picked up generally in the past week and somebody was up bright and early on Monday morning to deliver the mail.

"I know the round is uncovered because I have spoken to various postmen who have been here over the past few weeks and they've told me exactly that."

But Royal Mail bosses say letters are being delivered daily on the estate, but not by a single regular postman.

Royal Mail spokeswoman Sue Dakin said: "Our delivery managers have been monitoring mail to Mr Black's address and all items are being sent out for delivery as they arrive.

"The next stage is for one of our managers to speak directly to Mr Black to discuss his complaint in greater detail."

The Battledown area behind Sainsbury's, off Priors Road, is still under development.

[chelseachris]

Just sounds like my office packets lying for days they do not have a clue.

[clashcityrocker]

It could be anywhere.

[dvbuk55]

It could be anywhere.

No! Not our office, we deliver every single letter and packet every single day, all Special and Tracked items are delivered to time 9 a.m. as well we are a beacon and the sort of office everyone should aspire to be.

[clashcityrocker]

Upper decile/upper senile.......

[dvbuk55]

Upper decile/upper senile.......

The matron says I do very well for my age but I somehow keep slipping back to THE 60s