Post deliveries suspended to North Shields estate

[POSTMAN]

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-ea ... -31469195/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ROYAL Mail bosses have suspended deliveries to homes on a Tyneside estate after a postman fell on a set of stairs.

He was injured outside a flat in Cambo Place, North Shields, around two weeks ago.

Since then, deliveries to first-floor homes have been stopped, and residents have been asked to pick up their mail from the Norham Road depot nearly three miles away.

On Saturday, a Royal Mail van arrived on the estate from where people were able to collect their letters.

However, some residents have resorted to redirecting their mail to relatives while others are asking neighbours to pick up their post for them.

Around 30 to 40 flats have been affected, including those of elderly people who have mobility problems.


Gillian Smith, 47, said: “We got a letter saying they were suspending deliveries because a postman had fallen. We live in an upstairs flat and you have to climb the stairs to post the letters.

“We stopped getting our mail and we were really worried in case we missed any important letters.

“We were told we had to go to the Norham Road delivery office, which is on an industrial estate, to get our post.

“But it is not possible for everyone to do that. Not everyone drives and many people here are elderly.

“I live with my daughter and she has been going to pick up our mail. Then, on Saturday, a van showed up and we collected our post. We had 13 letters waiting for us.

“This is not right. How can they just stop delivering mail to so many houses?”

Drew Mitchison, 22, a delivery driver, added: “It’s very inconvenient to have mail deliveries disrupted in this way.”

Morag Turnbull, for Royal Mail, said: “Two weeks ago, a member of staff fell and sustained an injury due to the poor condition of the steps in Cambo Place.

“Following a risk assessment, we have notified the housing association, Places for People, that we must suspend mail deliveries to customers in Cambo Place as a precautionary measure until the steps are improved.

“In the meantime, customers can collect their mail from North Tyneside Delivery Office. We appreciate this may be inconvenient and while we are keen to resume deliveries as soon as possible, we must also address the outstanding safety concerns regarding the state of the steps.

“The safety and welfare of our staff is paramount, and we only suspend deliveries if the safety of our postmen and women is at risk.

“Royal Mail delivers to almost 29 million addresses across the UK and our postmen and women go out in all weather conditions, including wind, rain, snow and ice, so it is always a last resort if we decide not to deliver to a specific address or addresses.”

Places for People says an inspection was carried out yesterday to assess the condition of the steps outside the properties.

A spokesman added: “We did undertake an inspection with Royal Mail with the intention of trying to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

[stokes11eg]

Agree this time with R/M. I used to do numerous blocks of flats, and in some you took your life in your hands!

[fishtank]

On Saturday, a Royal Mail van arrived on the estate from where people were able to collect their letters

Seems a bit dodgy.

[olilew]

bet he was wearing cat trainers! we've just had one slip on a metal fire escape type staircase, he went from top to bottom and yes you guessed it! he was wearing these lethal shoes!

[mondeoman1]

On Saturday, a Royal Mail van arrived on the estate from where people were able to collect their letters

Seems a bit dodgy.

Did the Royal Mail van turn up like an Ice Cream van with postman pat blaring from the speakers?

[daveyeff]

On Saturday, a Royal Mail van arrived on the estate from where people were able to collect their letters

Seems a bit dodgy.

the area is like ''dodge city''

[briantwigley]

Its ok, all the elderly will miss out on are all the cheques for £20,000..

[Lounge Lizard]

"He was injured outside a flat in Cambo Place, North Shields, around two weeks ago."
Combo Place no doubt named after our vans. No surprise then it's not safe.

[Puppetmaster]

Any one who has delivered to flats,and those with problem steps knows how frightening this can be .Have utmost sympathy for all concernerd ,does not sound like Postie on this occasion fourtantley sustained seriously injury,let their not be a next time.

[NWpostie]

Had a look on streetview, the external staircase to the first floor are a bit unusual and does look dodgy.

[Stormproof]

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=cambo+ ... 03,,2,8.36" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mandelsons_toenail]

they look wooden

[fishtank]

they look wooden

Management?
Yes you're right they do.

[sparkx]

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-ea ... -31469195/

Gillian Smith, 47, said: “We got a letter saying they were suspending deliveries because a postman had fallen. We live in an upstairs flat and you have to climb the stairs to post the letters.”

Who braved the stairs to deliver the letter to say a decision had been made that it is unsafe to climb the stairs to deliver a letter

[theboropostie]

It's the same bloke that delivers all the dog letters.

He has a suit of armour made of rubber to repel all hazards.