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RESIDENTS across a large area of Richmondshire have been left without post for seven days after what is believed to be a major blunder by Royal Mail.
It is believed that around 23 out of 40 Royal Mail postal workers have been advised to take annual leave this week due to the adverse weather – but this has led to thousands of letters and parcels being left undelivered due to a lack of staff to sort and post them.
One resident from Gilling West, near Richmond, said no one in the village has received any post in the last seven days.
He said: “It was my birthday this week and I thought it was odd I didn’t get any cards, but then after speaking to my neighbours, and hearing from other people in the village, it is clear that no one has had any post.
“One neighbour is waiting for notification of a cataract operation, and another self-employed neighbour is waiting for tax self-assessment documents which they need urgently.”
Another resident said they spoke to a postal worker who had told them the sorting office in Richmond is full of letters, parcels – and several boxes of flowers for Valentine’s Day – which are waiting to be sorted and delivered.
It is understood that the issue is effecting residents across the DL9 and DL10 postcode areas.
He said: “I rang the Royal Mail area manager to ask what was going on after hearing that 23 out of 40 postal workers in the area had been advised to take annual leave due to the snow.
“I was told that the snow had caused a backlog of post – but it seems ridiculous that they are in this situation.
“To not receive any post for seven days is terrible. People rely on the post for many important documents and appointment letters, not to mention other deliveries for birthdays and Valentine’s Day.”
The Northern Echo has contacted Royal Mail for comment.
