'Too dangerous' to deliver mail

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/display. ... r_mail.php
By Deborah Linton


RESIDENTS have missed out on weeks of post because the Royal Mail chiefs say it is too dangerous to deliver to their estate.

People living on the Thornbank estate in Deane, say they have not received any letters for almost three weeks because the postmen will not negotiate building work to get to their letterboxes.

But they say they cannot understand the Royal Mail's stance, as deliveries to their doorsteps of milk and newspapers is continuing as normal despite the work being carried out by Bolton At Home.

Royal Mail has said that people living on the affected part of the estate - the Thornbank North low-rise flats and houses - can collect their post from a delivery office.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "Building work on the estate has meant that in some instances it is not deemed safe for our postal staff to deliver to some properties.

"The situation changes daily and at the moment a manager is accompanying the delivery postman on a daily basis to assess which properties have safe access and which don't.

"We apologise to those customers who do not receive their mail, but the health and safety of all our staff must remain our priority.

"Any customer can arrange to collect their mail from our delivery office in Calvin Street."

However, elderly and disabled residents say it poses a huge inconvenience to them.

Wheelchair-user John Aspinall, aged 38, said: "I am housebound and am relying on others to do my day-to-day errands. I should be able to rely on the Royal Mail to deliver my mail."

Resident David Delanty, aged 60, said: "I've not had post for three weeks. The milkman can get to us, the newspaper boy can get to us, so why can't the postman?

"We can come and go safely from our building, so I see no reason why we should not be receiving this service."

Another resident, who is in her 80s, said: "It's been more than a fortnight since I received my mail. I'm prepared to get a petition together to send to the Postmaster General."

Bolton At Home has arranged the refurbishment work which involves digging up access routes to the estate.

The problem is affecting 40 homes.

A Bolton At Home spokesman said: "Our health and safety officer inspected the site of regeneration work on Thursday and has confirmed that all work being carried out is in full compliance with health and safety regulations.

"Bolton At Home has twice arranged to meet a representative from Royal Mail to discuss the situation. Unfortunately, the Royal Mail representative failed to turn up on both occasions."

[IWW Fellow Worker]

Another resident, who is in her 80s, said: "It's been more than a fortnight since I received my mail. I'm prepared to get a petition together to send to the Postmaster General."

The poor old dear must still think Royal Mail is running a service on behalf of the public. How many years is it since we had a Postmaster General?

[dvbuk55]

Another resident, who is in her 80s, said: "It's been more than a fortnight since I received my mail. I'm prepared to get a petition together to send to the Postmaster General."

The poor old dear must still think Royal Mail is running a service on behalf of the public. How many years is it since we had a Postmaster General?

I'm not sure but I think it was John Stonehouse who was more famous for leaving a pile of clothes on the beach in Aussie and faking his own death. He was a Labour man of course. What odds for finding a pile of rather large keks on the beach in Bournemouth next week? And a new Binman appearing on the streets of Liverpool the week after?

[IWW Fellow Worker]

Another resident, who is in her 80s, said: "It's been more than a fortnight since I received my mail. I'm prepared to get a petition together to send to the Postmaster General."

The poor old dear must still think Royal Mail is running a service on behalf of the public. How many years is it since we had a Postmaster General?

I'm not sure but I think it was John Stonehouse who was more famous for leaving a pile of clothes on the beach in Aussie and faking his own death. He was a Labour man of course. What odds for finding a pile of rather large keks on the beach in Bournemouth next week? And a new Binman appearing on the streets of Liverpool the week after?

Let me tell you mate, Alex Ferguson would be more popular on the streets of Liverpool than a Labour MP.

[dvbuk55]

Another resident, who is in her 80s, said: "It's been more than a fortnight since I received my mail. I'm prepared to get a petition together to send to the Postmaster General."

The poor old dear must still think Royal Mail is running a service on behalf of the public. How many years is it since we had a Postmaster General?

I'm not sure but I think it was John Stonehouse who was more famous for leaving a pile of clothes on the beach in Aussie and faking his own death. He was a Labour man of course. What odds for finding a pile of rather large keks on the beach in Bournemouth next week? And a new Binman appearing on the streets of Liverpool the week after?

Let me tell you mate, Alex Ferguson would be more popular on the streets of Liverpool than a Labour MP.

Actually I wasn't thinking of a Labour MP - but someone a little closer to home!

[IWW Fellow Worker]

Another resident, who is in her 80s, said: "It's been more than a fortnight since I received my mail. I'm prepared to get a petition together to send to the Postmaster General."

The poor old dear must still think Royal Mail is running a service on behalf of the public. How many years is it since we had a Postmaster General?

I'm not sure but I think it was John Stonehouse who was more famous for leaving a pile of clothes on the beach in Aussie and faking his own death. He was a Labour man of course. What odds for finding a pile of rather large keks on the beach in Bournemouth next week? And a new Binman appearing on the streets of Liverpool the week after?

Let me tell you mate, Alex Ferguson would be more popular on the streets of Liverpool than a Labour MP.

Actually I wasn't thinking of a Labour MP - but someone a little closer to home!

Were you refering to Lord Billy of Edge Hill?

[dvbuk55]

Spot on!

[Carla]

This is a joke from RM again they really should have met up with the residents instead of hiding behind closed doors


"Bolton At Home has twice arranged to meet a representative from Royal Mail to discuss the situation. Unfortunately, the Royal Mail representative failed to turn up on both occasions."

[TrueBlueTerrier]

"The situation changes daily and at the moment a manager is accompanying the delivery postman on a daily basis to assess which properties have safe access and which don't.

"We apologise to those customers who do not receive their mail, but the health and safety of all our staff must remain our priority.

Whilst I fully agree with the 2nd part of the quote, why are we paying a manager to shadow a postie, surely the postie can make his own decisions, we are adults.