Loss of key fob leads to delay in deliveries

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Loss of key fob by Royal Mail leads to delay in deliveries to Cheltenham flats, residents say

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DISGRUNTLED residents say they have had to wait for their post after Royal Mail lost the key fob for their Cheltenham buildings.

Dave Hyatt, who lives in a block of flats run by Cheltenham Borough Homes in Cowper Road, says he has been without regular mail for more than two weeks – although Royal Mail has denied the claim.

The 68-year-old, who recently suffered a heart attack, said he was left waiting for a hospital letter giving him details of a follow-up appointment.

He said: "I'm annoyed about it. As far as I'm concerned if someone sticks a postage stamp on an envelope and puts it in a letter box it's a contract for someone on the other end to pick it up and deliver it. I believe they lost the fob to two blocks of flats in the area."

Royal Mail has denied that Cowper Road residents have been without deliveries for two-and- a-half weeks.

It says an issue with gaining access to a few addresses is being addressed urgently.

After raising the matter with Cheltenham Borough Council, Mr Hyatt said he was suddenly given two large bundles of mail. The postman then rang his bell yesterday to let him know he had no mail.

In one bundle, delivered on Monday, was the long-awaited hospital letter.

"The postman came to the door and rang the security bell," he said. "When he was in he went around and delivered to everyone else in the building.

"I feel frustrated that I have to keep pushing for them to do that."

Mike Tyrrell, who lives in another block in Cowper Road, said: "In a seven-week period I have had mail three times. I normally get mail five days a week. I have had other people in my block say they have not received mail, too.

"We don't know what the problem is, but this needs to be sorted out, and soon, as it is having a real impact on people's lives."

Cheltenham Borough Homes said it was notified by Royal Mail on Monday that a key fob to two blocks of flats had been lost.

Royal Mail spokesperson, Valerie Antoine, said: "We are concerned to hear that customers in Cowper Road have not been receiving the high-level service they expect from Royal Mail, but there is no truth in the claim that customers have been without deliveries for two-and-a-half weeks.

"Royal Mail is delivering mail to all residents in Cowper Road on a daily basis.

"We have had an issue with gaining access to a few addresses and we are addressing this urgently."

[RedBagMan]

Key fobs - an absolute PIA. Some blocks/housing associations up our way won't issue them (am I surprised - no) and on other walks I've done as floater they're "unavailable" (as regular walkpeeps believe it is their "personal property" !). Today I got sent out to do a "country" walk - bag drop keys ... "unavailable" (the only set is with the 'poorly person') so much dead walking - I await a similar grumble from someone with a life-threatening illness (good tabloid fodder) moaning about the lateness of mail ... at least it got through