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Letters for hospital appointments, jury duty, bank statements and fines are among those people living in Garnethill say they have not received in a timely manner in recent months.
The extent of the problem, which locals say has been ongoing since October last year, was revealed at a Garnethill Neighbourhood Watch meeting on Tuesday, April 1.
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At the meeting one resident said her husband had missed a hospital appointment and been taken off a waitlist as he did not receive the letter inviting him in time.
Their GP was fortunately able to put him back on the list and got another appointment arranged.
As several other people also shared they or someone they know had missed hospital appointments due to not receiving letters in time, she said: “They’re putting people’s lives at risk.”
She also said that a fine issued to her for driving in a bus lane arrived so late she was unable to pay the reduced payment by time it arrived.
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Another resident said last week they had received 11 letters at one time, including several bank statements with someone else saying they had three monthly bank statements delivered that morning.
One person living in Garnethill did not receive a jury duty summons it was reported while another had to have a new bank card sent out three times before she received it.
Another said on three occasions they have not had a prescription they receive by post delivered and were currently without medication.
It was claimed another person had lost a job they have been offered as their Disclosure Scotland certification never arrived in time despite it having been sent.
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Garnethill is covered by the Glasgow G1-5 Delivery Office which is based on Baird Street.
At the meeting it was said those living in the Townhead and Ladywell areas, which are also covered by the office, have reported similar delays.
One resident claimed they had been told by their postie that they had been ordered to prioritise parcels over letters while another person said they were told posties had been told to prioritise students.
As a result, it was suggested residents may look into taking legal action if the problem continues as they say this is in breach of the Postal Services Act 2000.
Section 84 of the act states: “(1) A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he – (a) intentionally delays or opens a postal packing in the court of its transmission by post.”
However, a Royal Mail spokesperson said they do not prioritise parcels or students’ mail.
They say small delays have been caused by staff shortages but they “dispute the allegation” anyone has experienced delays of weeks or months.
Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Region, says she is frustrated by the issue and claims in her more than 20 years as an MSP she hasn’t seen “such poor service” from Royal Mail.
She told the Glasgow Times: “I am deeply frustrated at the lack of effective response from Royal Mail about a serious service issue for residents.
“In all my time as an MSP, I haven’t seen such poor service and lack of urgency to resolve it.
“I am seeking an urgent meeting with the head of Royal Mail.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Recent resourcing challenges at the Glasgow G1-5 Delivery Office have had an impact on deliveries in the local area.
“We would reassure residents that mail continues to be delivered daily, with any items not arriving on time prioritised the following day.
“We are working to improve our service and are actively recruiting for more posties.”
Have you experienced any problems receiving your mail and not had an important letter delivered in time? Get in touch via Nicole.Mitchell@newsquest.co.uk
