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A pensioner said she feels like she is living in “a void” after not receiving post through her letterbox for more than a month.
Linda Rickard, who lives in Church Path, Northfleet, has hit out at Royal Mail for the delays, branding the courier “ridiculous”.
In response, the company has said that it is its “busiest time of year” with mail volumes more than doubling, and it is working to keep services moving.
Linda went on holiday to visit her son in Switzerland for two weeks in November, and when she returned, she was surprised to see she had only had a few letters dated November 15.
She told KentOnline: “It was not a lot for a fortnight, and I would have expected more. I have had nothing from the postal system since then.”
Two weeks went by, and she decided to visit the sorting office in Gravesend on December 3, where she collected a few more pieces of post.
The 80-year-old claims that when she questioned why it had not been delivered, she was told by the postal worker that the team had been told to prioritise parcels instead.
A spokesperson for Royal Mail explained that sometimes it can become necessary to clear parcels first during busy periods, as they take up more space and can block walkways, causing health and safety risks.
Ofcom has also previously looked into the claim that parcels are prioritised and found no evidence to suggest that outside of any contingency plans.
Linda did not receive any more post through her letterbox until December 18, when she had six items delivered, but not the bank statements she was expecting.
She is also missing Christmas cards. Every year, Linda said she receives upwards of 20 cards in the post, but because of the delays, she has only received seven this month.
The grandmother-of-three said: “We pay so much to send a letter now, and at my age, some of my friends send me cards, and that is how I know they are OK.
“It is the time of year, at Christmas, when you hear from people you do not always hear from anymore.
“It feels like I am in a void. I know my neighbours have not received them either, and my friends living elsewhere in Gravesham.
“I am still missing post and bank statements, but I do not think I will get a delivery now until after Christmas.”
Linda, who has lived in Church Path for 45 years, said she would receive mail around twice a week, but recently this has dropped to every 10 days and now once a month.
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We know how important letters are, especially when they include items such as bank statements, and we take any reports of delay seriously.
“This is our busiest time of year, with mail volumes more than doubling in the run-up to Christmas, but the vast majority of mail continues to be delivered on time.
“Where there is disruption, we work to resolve it as quickly as possible and keep services moving.
“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.”
However, Linda said that no matter the reason, people should be getting their post on time. She added: “It is ridiculous.
“I want someone to rattle the postal system. The government should step in and say that enough is enough.”
Residents in Hawkinge have also reported experiencing delays in receiving post this month, with medical letters and bills regularly delivered late.
Meanwhile, in September, 33 residents in Paddock Wood, Tonbridge and Malling submitted a joint complaint to Royal Mail over reports that important letters took weeks to arrive, or did not come at all.
There have also been reports of delays as far afield as Plymouth and Aberdeen.
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