Lock-out for the posties at flats

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk/mostp ... _flats.php

Bundles of letters were not delivered to residents in a block of flats for up to a month because of a faulty door system.

The block, in Balmoral Drive, Borehamwood, is being renovated by housing association William Sutton.

But a fault with the entry system meant postal workers could not reach residents' letterboxes during the Christmas and new year period.

Royal Mail has claimed it notified William Sutton, but said the association had done nothing solve the problem.

Pensioner Joan May, 83, said: "We didn't have any post for about four weeks. I was told by one of my neighbours I should go down to the sorting office and collect them. When I did, there was a big bundle of letters waiting for me.

"I was quite concerned because I was waiting for a letter telling me when my electricity payment was going to be. Also, I always get a letter from my sister in Australia over Christmas and I hadn't received it, so that worried me.

"When the postman did come he had such a big sack of letters he couldn't fit them all through people's letter boxes."

Borehamwood Cowley Hill ward councillor Ernie Butler, who received complaints from residents, said: "When residents finally got their mail it came in a bundle of 20 or 30 letters, including important notices about bills.

"This has caused financial problems for some of the residents of the block, and they at least want an apology."

Mr Butler met staff at the Borehamwood sorting office and William Sutton representatives this week to resolve the issue.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: "The problems with the post in the block have been caused by issues with the security lock on the building that needed to be fixed. We have been trying for some time to get the issue resolved and with the help of the councillor we have been able to rectify the issue.

"We are very sorry for the disruption, but it was something out of our control. Hopefully now there will be no further problems."

William Sutton's senior maintenance surveyor, Everard Cowell, said: "Unfortunately, there is a problem with the trade button on the security system which we are seeking to rectify as soon as possible.

"In the meantime, to ensure residents are able to receive their post, we liaised with the Post Office and arranged for postal staff to have keys to get into the building.

"We apologise to all our residents who have been affected by the problem."

4:48pm Thursday 17th January 2008

[Stormproof]

At least the local DO held on to the letters, in our office 3 attempts then RTS/RLB, what a caring employer we have

[DGP1]

I'm sure there are individual buzzers, usually get someone in anyway now RM have a key they'd better hold on to it

[sevenandseven]

Had the same problem on a couple of blocks on my delivery. When they did work the timers had an hours difference. The manager did try to deal with it but was told by the Housing Association the woman who dealt with such problems was on maternity leave. And this wasn't usual management nonsense because a couple of residents told me the Housing Association was absolutely useless dealing with any problems. It isn't always RMs fault but try getting that across in the newspapers.

[Albethere]

As a postie I sympathize with these poor residents but I also deliver to FLATS owned by a housing association. We have several blocks in our area. The only way to efficiently deliver is for the postie to have an access KEY! I have one - although it was really hard to get. The previous walk holder never passed one over to me and the office managers were no help either! I had to spend time personally liasing with the housing association who were reluctant to give me a key as they said previous ones had gone missing. Anyway - they eventually relented and supplied one to me which I also share with the relief postie on my day off. But if this one gets lost they have told me replacement charge is a standard £15!!! Just have to make sure we don't lose it!