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A COVID crisis at a Royal Mail delivery office has left some residents without post for THREE weeks.
Positive cases at the Benfleet delivery office, in Church Road, have seen several staff forced to self-isolate – impacting deliveries in the area.
The Echo initially reported on the issue last week, with bosses insisting they were doing everything they can to get the post back in order.
But problems have persisted.
The Rev Ruth Cartwright, vicar of St James’ Church, in Hadleigh, said she hadn’t received a single bit of post in three weeks.
She raised concerns that elderly church members are not receiving the weekly newsletter and food parcels.
She said: “There is nothing about it on Royal Mail’s website. Residents are angry at the lack of information and the lack of post and have no indication of when normal services will return.
“Some people received a delivery on a Sunday by postal workers drafted in from elsewhere but there appears to be no contingency plan at all.
“There is no sign of them actually getting on top of the problem and delivering any post whatsoever.
“People are waiting for payments, for pensions and for benefits giros.
“I run two churches, both of which are Covid-secure. A church has had to provide food parcels for people who are awaiting their money, and church newsletters and resources sent out weekly to isolated congregation members have not been reaching those in need.
Two members of staff at the delivery office have tested positive for Covid, while a number are in self-isolation – but bosses refused to give extra information. A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Royal Mail takes the health and safety of its colleagues, its customers and the local communities in which we operate very seriously.”
