RM suspends deliveries to two Gower chalet communities

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Stuck in the mud: Royal Mail suspends deliveries to two Gower chalet communities

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GOWER chalet-dwellers are having to leave their fields to collect mail after muddy posties cried foul.

Residents in Holtsfield, near Murton, have had deliveries temporarily suspended due to the slippery and muddy path leading to the 30-odd chalets.

And the nearby Owensfield community, which has some 25 dwellings, has had deliveries stopped after a visit from a health and safety boss in response to concerns about roaming dogs and mud.

At present residents from both communities have to collect their post from the delivery office in Mumbles. But while deliveries to Holtsfield will resume at some point, Owensfield folk will have to appeal Royal Mail’s decision.

Holtsfield resident Ray Laurence said he hadn’t been told about the suspension before it took effect four days ago.

“It does get muddy in the winter, but it’s no muddier now than in other winters,” said the 63-year-old.

He added that Yodel delivery drivers had no trouble dropping off parcels before Christmas, and that their regular postman was a cheerful character who knew the fields well.

“I’ve heard that a relief postman made a complaint,” he said.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “We suspended deliveries to around 30 addresses in Holtsfield on Monday after the postman reported that the path to the properties was extremely muddy and slippery, as a result of the current inclement weather.”

She added: “In relation to the 25 addresses in Owensfield, this was done before Christmas following a visit to the location by a senior health and safety manager after the delivery postman reported problems walking along a muddy woodland path where dogs are roaming freely.”

Family man Mr Laurence has lived at Holtsfield for 30-plus years.

“It’s such a beautiful little place,” he said.