Villagers having to travel further afield to collect mail

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thecomet.net/news/villagers_ ... _1_1516493" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A VILLAGE sub-postmaster has hit out at changes to mail services, with a sorting office’s closure last month leaving residents having to travel further afield to pick up their special delivery mail.


The Comet reported last week that the closure of Hitchin Sorting Office and the relocation of services to Stevenage has resulted in post being received late or even not at all. There have also been reports of heavy queues at the new collection point, Brookers.

This week, fresh problems with the service have emerged, with Royal Mail implementing a new scheme in which undelivered special delivery items are taken back to Stevenage, rather than being left at village post offices as they used to be.

The items are then taken to Brookers the next day, and a card is left with the owner asking them to pick it up from there instead.

Norma Fears, owner of Whitwell Post Office, said: “We were not informed by Royal Mail that the system would be changing. “People who live in this village and surrounding areas can easily drop in to their village post office before or after work, but if they do not work in Hitchin it could be the next weekend before they get their guaranteed next day delivery.”

Normally, special delivery post is delivered the day after it is sent. The sender pays more for it, and it has to be signed for at the other end.

Mrs Fears has written to Stevenage Sorting Office to complain about the situation, but has not yet received a reply.

“A lot of my customers are unhappy because they had a good service and for no apparent reason it has been taken away from them,” she added.

At the time of going to press, Royal Mail was unavailable for comment.

[Lounge Lizard]

Instead of complaining why don't they just appreciate that travel broadens the mind especially if hitching to Hitchin.

[DirtyHarry]

Another rip-roaring success for Royal Mail, I see.