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A woman is calling on Royal Mail to improve its service after only receiving letters every couple of weeks – often in large batches.
Alie Haywood, 62, from Hawkinge, says important post such as driving documents, medical letters and bills is regularly delivered late.
Others in her town have reported similar problems, with complaints also emerging from elsewhere in the country.
Mrs Haywood, an insurance underwriter from Hawkinge, says the situation is “disgraceful”.
In response, Royal Mail says it is working to resolve any disruption “as quickly as possible” amid its busiest time of the year.
But Mrs Haywood claims she “wouldn’t be able to get away with that in my job”.
She said 17 letters were delivered on December 3, followed by no post until another 16 arrived on Monday, December 15.
That batch included car registration documents, a pension letter and a credit card bill dated November 27.
Her husband Daniel, 64, a taxi driver, was also affected after delays to paperwork needed to change his car meant he had to stop working temporarily.
“We’ve had hospital and doctors’ letters asking us to contact them,” she said.
“That is obviously worrying if you don’t receive the letter for 10 days.”
Mrs Haywood says her husband has been waiting for a replacement business debit card since December 5, leaving the couple unsure whether it is simply delayed or has been stolen.
She says the disruption has also affected personal mail.
“It’s upsetting because we’ve both had birthdays. Relatives have sent cards which haven’t arrived,” she said.
Mrs Haywood says the problems began three or four months ago and have worsened, with post now arriving every 12 or 13 days.
She stresses she does not blame postmen and women, but management at Royal Mail.
While accepting there is greater pressure in the run-up to Christmas, she says bosses should have contingency plans in place.
“Christmas comes along every year. They should be taking on temporary staff or offering extra overtime,” she said.
After raising the issue on the Hawkinge Residents Group Facebook page, she heard from neighbours with similar experiences.
Zoe Wood said a fine arrived too late for her to pay the reduced amount, meaning she had to pay the full sum.
“It’s a shame they no longer employ more staff for the Christmas period,” she wrote.
Samantha Perry said her daughter’s birthday cards arrived late after no post was delivered for days.
Carrie Pickett said: “Mine is awful. I received something from China quicker than local. I’m still waiting for something posted in the UK on December 3.”
But others reported no issues.
Fiona Barnes said: “Our Royal Mail post is very good. Can’t fault it where we are.”
Mark Gilham added: “Our deliveries are brilliant – the posties are doing 12-hour shifts.”
“Where there is disruption, we work to resolve it as quickly as possible…”
Postal delays have been reported in several parts of the country, including elsewhere in Kent.
In September, 33 residents in Paddock Wood, Tonbridge and Malling submitted a joint complaint after experiencing delays, with one household reportedly receiving no post for four weeks while awaiting hospital test results.
There have also been reports as far afield as Plymouth and Aberdeen, while some residents in Staffordshire went directly to sorting offices to collect their mail.
Responding to Mrs Haywood’s complaint, a Royal Mail spokesman said the “vast majority of mail is being delivered on time” as volumes more than double at Christmas.
“Where there is disruption, we work to resolve it as quickly as possible and keep services moving,” he said.
“Last year, 99% of items posted by the last recommended posting dates were delivered in time for Christmas, and our teams are working hard to deliver the same level of service again this year.”
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