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Furious villagers say they are facing a ‘postal crisis’ as their mail has been turning up “weeks” after it was first posted.
People living in Poringland, Norfolk, claim that since July their postal service has become more inconsistent, with residents saying they have missed hospital appointments and medication as a result.
Royal Mail has apologised for what it describes as “occasional” delays, which are reportedly due to the number of staff in the area being cut from six to five.
The village, around five miles south of Norwich, has undergone significant expansion in recent years.
People have told the BBC that the ongoing postal delays are impacting lives and local businesses.
Helen Franklin said the delays had led to her elderly father missing a hospital appointment because the notification had arrived after it was due to take place.
The 63-year-old also said medication she had ordered on September 1 had still not arrived three weeks later – and that the Royal Mail had told her delays were due to “restructuring the service”.
Sally Green, who runs an online jewellery business in the village called Sweethearts and Darlings, said the delays were affecting her business.
The 40-year-old said: “I’m having to order stock way in advance and hope it will eventually arrive.
“As a business that posts every day, I’m finding lots of areas in the UK where customers are just not receiving their items within the estimated delivery time that Royal Mail websites are giving.
“I’m left with many disgruntled customers who blame me for the delay.”
A Royal Mail worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said rounds affecting other villages including Alpington and Yelverton were also being compressed.
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Improving our level of service is our top priority and we are committed to restoring our service levels to where our customers expect them to be.
“While on occasion there are delays, mail is being delivered daily across Norfolk.”
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