
Catherine Burgass, one of the residents of The Villas, in Stoke, is frustrated over the lack of postal deliveries in bad weather.
Residents have been left frustrated as Royal Mail won't deliver their post if it is slippy underfoot.
On days when it is wet or icy, postal workers will steer clear of dropping off letters at The Villas in Stoke. Families can't pick up the post at the Leek Road sorting office as they need a 'failure to deliver' card first.
Now they are demanding action from Royal Mail.
Nicholas Pomlankowski, aged 60, said: “We had this problem a few years ago, but it was resolved, with them driving up here and post was delivered again.
“I understand health and safety, but there should be better communication about when they are delivering post. You cannot run a service like that."
Team leader at the Villas Residential Home, Jade Kelling, explained how it was having an effect on their residents as it was causing them to miss important medical appointments.
She said: “It is frustrating for us because we have eight residents here that could be missing appointments. They should give us notice for when they are not going to be delivering post to us.
“At this time of year, the residents want their Christmas post being delivered promptly. Luckily this year, one lady did get her Christmas card delivered from her sister in Australia."
Dr Catherine Burgass, a lecturer at Staffordshire University, said: “I don't object to health and safety, but I do object to the lack of communication from Royal Mail. We are left in a catch 22 as we are unable to collect our post from the sorting office.
Ellenor Burgass, aged 14, said: “They should send us written notice of when they are not delivering post that allows us to pick it up from the sorting
However, some residents are satisfied with the service from Royal Mail and have not experienced problems.
Michele Pearson, from The Villas, said: “We have a really good postman. It is slippy along the paving stones, and he did slip and break his arm. We always get our post delivered and have our path jet-washed"
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “There is no formal suspension of mail deliveries to The Villas. However, there have been occasions when we have not completed deliveries due to adverse weather, posing a significant hazard to delivery staff.
Read more: 12 workers lose jobs just before Christmas as Stoke Post Office depot closes
“We are currently delivering as normal and apologise to customers for any inconvenience.
“The occasions of no delivery is due to the impact that weather, such as torrential rain, snow and ice, can have on underfoot conditions for delivery staff."