Paths are too icy for postmen

[Darren Bent]

Paths are too icy for postmen

Wednesday 22nd December 2010, 11:30AM GMT.

Homes in the West Midlands are going without letters and parcels just days before Christmas – because postmen are not being allowed out in the snow.

Posties today complained that “health and safety” rules have prevented them from going out.

The Royal Mail has taken on 100 extra staff on top of its 400 casual Christmas workers at its main office in Sun Street, Wolverhampton, to deal with the backlog.

But piles of post are piling up because managers deem conditions on pavements too dangerous. Thousands in the region have received no post since Friday.

Posties have contacted the Express & Star to say they want to do their rounds but are being frustrated by safety rules. One postman, who did not want to be named, said: “A lot of offices in the Midlands have not been delivering any mail. Some offices such as Dudley have not delivered any mail since Friday.”

The Sun Street depot handles all post for Wolverhampton, Walsall, Wednesbury, Dudley and much of Staffordshire. Royal Mail also has district delivery offices, including in Dudley, Stafford, Cannock and Darlaston.

It is up to individual office managers to decide if pavements are safe enough for their staff to work.

People waiting for deliveries today spoke of their frustration. Businesswoman Kate Copestake, of Wergs Road, Tettenhall, added: “I know there are severe disruptions to all kinds of services, but it’s not that bad around here.”

Royal Mail spokeswoman Jaquie Stenson said: “We are delivering wherever possible in extremely difficult conditions. Health and safety rules are applied at each office. If the area is too dangerous they are told at each office but it is an agreed process between Royal Mail managers and the union.”

Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2010 ... z18rNBGnNc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(It is first time there is a suspended service in my delivery office for 36 years)

[demon]

the paths are really icy here in the north east to but we just get on with it but then again were are made ov stronger
stuff over here

[blue1873]

Maybe time for the General Public to help the postie out here by
clearing their own pathways/entrances? or perhaps it's too
dangerous for that.......just a thought as every little helps,
don't hold your breath on that happening colleagues as it
seems the bulk of the population only like to have a go
at the service they do receive from RM. Am i wrong in
thinking a wee bit of Social Responsibility from JOE PUBLIC
is needed or maybe i'm too old fashioned in my thinking.

[not me]

My path,the pavement outside and part of the road are clear to tarmac
same for the old couple next door
all it took was a bit of my time and grit i bought
if everyone did the same then things would move on much quicker
Im the only one in the street to make any effort
then folks wonder why theres no deliveries!

[noggin1969]

Well after the last lot of snow we have 1 lass with a badly broken leg which is now pinned and caged , 1 lad with a broken wrist requiring a pin and bone graph and 2 other broken wrists

[DGP1]

Our managers worked out what made us not go out..................those pesky risk assesments so they don't bother anymore and lo and behold, the problem has gone away

[maisymoo04]

bad today nearly went on me arse a few times

[heapsy]

Went straight on my arse only the other day!

[Judgee]

Maybe time for the General Public to help the postie out here by
clearing their own pathways/entrances? or perhaps it's too
dangerous for that.......just a thought as every little helps,
don't hold your breath on that happening colleagues as it
seems the bulk of the population only like to have a go
at the service they do receive from RM. Am i wrong in
thinking a wee bit of Social Responsibility from JOE PUBLIC
is needed or maybe i'm too old fashioned in my thinking.

[wbh1138]

My path,the pavement outside and part of the road are clear to tarmac
same for the old couple next door
all it took was a bit of my time and grit i bought
if everyone did the same then things would move on much quicker
Im the only one in the street to make any effort
then folks wonder why theres no deliveries!

I saw two of my customers clearing their driveways and one commented that they should be careful because they could be sued if someone slipped after they had cleared it.

[wbh1138]

the paths are really icy here in the north east to but we just get on with it but then again were are made ov stronger
stuff over here

rest assured plenty of us here in the midlands asked to go out and weren't allowed to

[Spedley]

I have no worries with a bit of snow and ice, it's the 4 mph that I find difficult.

[Broxi51]

I have no worries with a bit of snow and ice, it's the 4 mph that I find difficult.

Not if you land on your arse at the top of a hill

[not me]

My path,the pavement outside and part of the road are clear to tarmac
same for the old couple next door
all it took was a bit of my time and grit i bought
if everyone did the same then things would move on much quicker
Im the only one in the street to make any effort
then folks wonder why theres no deliveries!

I saw two of my customers clearing their driveways and one commented that they should be careful because they could be sued if someone slipped after they had cleared it.

its an urban myth.
anyway.mine is so well gritted that the biggest problem is the grit i tread into the house on my boots ;)

[johnsouthwales]

i tried to tell people to leave the snow untouched over the ice underneath. all they are doing is creating an ice rink. people dont listen. soon as the top layer goes, thats it.. pavements the same