Postman parks up on double yellow lines for quick cat nap

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Pictured: Postman parks up on double yellow lines for quick cat nap in Edinburgh

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THE postie was pictured enjoying a nap from his Royal Mail duties in Edinburgh's Melville Street on Tuesday afternoon.

Postman takes a nap

ALL those early mornings must have caught up with this postie who was snapped snoozing while parked on double yellow lines.

The picture was taken in the Edinburgh’s Melville Street at 3.30pm on Tuesday.

It was uploaded to the website Edinburgh’s Worst Drivers, sparking an angry reaction.

Keith Pirrie described the driver as an “idiot” and said he had put his own job at risk.

The Royal Mail confirmed they had begun an investigation.

A spokeswoman said: “The driver was not collecting from postboxes in the area at the time despite being parked near to one.

“He was on other collecting duties and was on a break.”

[TrueBlueTerrier]

A spokesman for the site said: “Royal Mail are lucky to have relaxed rules when it comes to parking restrictions and this seems to be taking advantage.”

“I know Royal Mail are allowed to stop on double yellow lines to deliver/collect post etc. But not to have a nap.

“To be honest no-one would probably have noticed if he didn’t use his passenger door as a footrest and mail bag for pillow.

“A few people have commented that this is why my post is always crumpled and it makes you wonder.”

Many followers of the site expressed anger at the image.

Keith Pirrie described the driver as an “idiot” and said he had put his own job at risk.
Facing the sack: Postie has first class “nap” in work van parked on double yellows

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A POSTIE has been snapped snoozing in his van while parked on double yellows – and using a mail sack for a pillow.

The picture, which was uploaded to the website Edinburgh’s Worst Drivers, will embarrass Royal Mail, which was controversially privatised just four months ago.

The website accused the firm’s workers – who are allowed to park on double yellows – of taking advantage.

The picture was taken in the city’s busy Melville Street at 3.30pm on Tuesday and captioned: “Is it OK to park on double yellows in a Royal Mail van to have a nap?”

He added: “I am sure there are plenty of others out there that would gladly take his job and make more of an effort.”

Martha Munro wrote: “Nothing like being caught red-handed.”

Postbox

And John Anderson said the image was hard to explain away. “Postbox says next collection 6.30 – pic taken at 3.30. Explain that,” he wrote.

But the majority of posters backed the postie, including a representative of the Communication Workers Union, Tony Westgarth.

He wrote: “They are hard-working people who done this for many years.

“I know the individual here. Working shifts, as many postal workers do, or overtime shifts to have a better family, having a quick 10 mins is hardly taking the mickey is it?”

He asked: “Have you seen the quality of service Royal Mail delivers? Over 99% of items posted. Remarkable service by dedicated and loyal workforce.”

Stevie Wilson wrote: “The guy isn’t skiving as some have said. He will be waiting to collect from the pillar box, which can only be emptied at specific times.

“Poor lad is on a hiding to nothing. If he empties it early or he empties it late, the snoops will still moan.”

And Stuart Lowe stormed: “Hope the busybody picture-taker realises he’s getting another working guy into bother. Or was it too good an opportunity to be a sanctimonious p**** about it?”

In 2012-2013, 185,000 parking fines were handed out to Edinburgh’s residents and visitors, forcing them to pay up £11.1m.

Privatised

Royal Mail was privatised by the UK Government almost four months ago.

Some 600,000 shares went on sale at £3.30 each, raising more than £3bn for the government’s coffers.

But the price of the shares soared to £5.50 within a week, leading to accusations the sale had been “shambolic” and a “firesale”.

The Royal Mail confirmed they had started an investigation.

A spokeswoman said: “Royal Mail is investigating this matter.

“The expected normal stopping time for collecting from postboxes is under five minutes.

“The driver in question was not collecting from postboxes in the area at the time despite being parked near to one.

“He was on other collecting duties and was on a break at the time.”

The Royal Mail’s guidelines on double yellow lines state: “You can only stop to load or unload and not for any other purpose. It is your responsibility to prove that you are acting within the rules and are entitled to stop.”

An insider said their rules did not allow for employees to snooze in vans even if they were on a legitimate break.

[Lounge Lizard]

Looks to me like the one that made a fool of himself after a couple of pints in Bolton some time ago.

[UnhappyGremlin]

The website accused the firm’s workers – who are allowed to park on double yellows – of taking advantage.

Yes, because we ALL do this every day.
Don't tar every postie with the same brush.

And John Anderson said the image was hard to explain away. “Postbox says next collection 6.30 – pic taken at 3.30. Explain that,” he wrote.

Easy.
Boxes state LASTcollection time, not the ONLY collection time.
It quite clearly states on all post boxes "Other collections may be made throughout the day as required" (maybe not the exact wording, but it's close).

And Stuart Lowe stormed: “Hope the busybody picture-taker realises he’s getting another working guy into bother. Or was it too good an opportunity to be a sanctimonious p**** about it?”

Quality.

The Royal Mail confirmed they had started an investigation.

Of course. Another chance to sack someone. When don't management like that?
Bet they couldn't wait to start the 'investigation'.

An insider said their rules did not allow for employees to snooze in vans even if they were on a legitimate break.

Bullshit.
In my office we have been encouraged to take our breaks, in our vans, on route. (We refused).
And what ANY postie does on their break is entirely up to them, with the obvious exceptions. (Like going to the pub and drinking 3 doubles of whiskey).

On the other hand, the postie in question could have been considerably more discreet about his actions.
Like parking in a less conspicuous place for one.

[PhilthyPhil]

He is parked illegally though. Double lines on the kerb so no loading allowed

[UnhappyGremlin]

He is parked illegally though. Double lines on the kerb so no loading allowed

He is parked illegally, but not for that reason.

Royal Mail can park on double yellow lines, as long as it is in the course of doing your duty, i.e. delivering or collecting mail.

You can't park on them to pop into a shop for a newspaper. Certainly not to have 40 winks.

[PhilthyPhil]

Double yellow lines yes. Double yellow kerb lines no loading at any time

[UnhappyGremlin]

Double yellow lines yes. Double yellow kerb lines no loading at any time

Not necessarily.
Depends on whether there are any times/days restrictions that they apply to.
They are not all in force 24 hours a day.

Can't see any kerb marks in the picture. You local?

[PhilthyPhil]

You can see them if you click the link in the second post. Double kerb markings mean no loading at any time. Single markings are for timed restrictions.

[UnhappyGremlin]

You can see them if you click the link in the second post. Double kerb markings mean no loading at any time. Single markings are for timed restrictions.

Didn't bother with that.

It is kind of irrelevant anyway. The box is there, there are security rules to follow, so if those kerb lines are stretched quite some distance both ways, there would be no way to empty that box without breaking RM's own guidelines for security (though it didn't apply to him as he wasn't doing emptying that box).
I'd park there, empty the box, and pass any tickets on to the manager. I have parked on double kerb lines before and got away with it, but it could be down to the individual traffic warden.
Most would be OK about it. We're just trying to do a job.
If anything, there should either be an agreement in place with the local council, or the box needs moving to a more suitable location.

Plus, those lines are severely faded, and the ones on the road don't look well maintained, either.