Margaret blasts RM delays as she gets card from dead relativ

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Margaret blasts Royal Mail delays as she gets card from dead relative

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A PENSIONER has criticised Royal Mail for delays in delivering post after receiving a three-week old Christmas card from a relative – two hours after being told she had died.

Margaret Jarvis, of Oakwood, was left upset by the delivery, which had been postmarked December 17.

The card, from her brother-in-law Harold Jarvis and his wife Doris, arrived on January 6 despite only being sent from 30 miles away.

But just two hours before the postman arrived at Margaret's house, she was told Doris had died.

Margaret said: "I felt absolutely dreadful when I opened it and saw that it was from Doris and Harold.

"I was getting over the shock of hearing she had died and then I got the card.

"Every year, without fail, we exchange Christmas cards so I thought it was odd that I hadn't received one.

"They only live in Melton Mowbray so I really didn't think it would be so late in getting to me."

In December the Derby Telegraph reported how workers at the Royal Mail's Midland Road depot had decided it was "too risky" to deliver rounds during the heavy snow.

Many residents across the city received no mail for about a week during the cold-snap with delays following as Royal Mail staff worked their way through the backlog.

Margaret, who once delivered post for Royal Mail during the 1980s, received no deliveries for 11 days and said: "It's a poor show really.

"I am still receiving Christmas cards now and know I am not the only one affected by the delays. I worked for Royal Mail over Christmas during the 1980s when the weather was pretty treacherous at times.

"But we still went out with our bags full of letters and delivered them to homes across the city.

"Lots of other people still managed to do their jobs and businesses continued to function during the snow so why couldn't Royal Mail?"

A spokeswoman for Royal Mail said: "We offer our sincere apologies to Margaret Jarvis for any distress that may have been caused as a result of this item of Christmas mail being delayed.

"We did deliver by Christmas the vast majority of almost two billion letters, cards and parcels posted in the run-up to Christmas.

"We always welcome hearing from any customer who has a concern or query about the service."

People with concerns can call the customer service team on 08457 740740.