Southend Royal Mail missing post spark MP’s call for meeting

While Royal Mail has said deliveries are taking place every day, residents have said that medical documents, DBS checks and birthday cards are among the missing and delayed post.

Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, David Burton-Sampson has now requested the meeting after Lib Dem councillors in Eastwood raised concerns around the scale of postal disruption being experienced by their residents.

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Paul Collins, one of Eastwood Park’s Lib Dem councillors, said: “Residents are receiving medical appointments in the post after the date of their appointment and important documents, such as DBS checks, are not being sent timely and therefore putting people’s careers at risk.

“There are many stories of birthday cards either not arriving or after the birthday, even those that have been posted a week or more beforehand.

“I am seeking that our MP goes back to Royal Mail management in Southend and take it up most strongly with them as it is affecting people’s lives.”

Last month, residents living in seven Southend postcodes were notified by Royal Mail of delays caused by resourcing issues at the firm’s Southend delivery office. 

“All letters and parcels are important to us,” the spokesperson said.

“Deliveries to Eastwood Park are taking place every day when there is mail to deliver, but for a brief period several weeks ago, deliveries took place every other day.”

Concern – Eastwood Park Lib Dems, Robert McMullan, Dave Poulton and Paul Collins (L to R) (Image: Paul Collins) According to one resident living in Rayleigh Road’s Elizabeth House, there was not one visit from Royal Mail throughout an entire week. 

Mr Burton-Sampson, who has represented Southend West and Leigh since last July, said he was aware of the ongoing issues and has previously raised them with Royal Mail management. 

Questions – Mr Burton-Sampson has asked for a meeting with Royal Mail bosses (Image: House of Commons) “They explained that they were piloting a new system and following the meeting things seemed to improve,” said the MP.

“It now seems that problems are more persistent. This is totally unacceptable and I would like to reassure my residents that I have now requested another urgent  meeting and a visit to the depot.

“It is vital that people have a proper postal service and I will not rest until we get one.”