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CONCERNS have been raised that residents in Basingstoke have not received their documents through the post to complete the 2021 census.
Census Day is on Sunday, March 21 and residents are asked to fill in an online questionnaire as soon as they receive an access code in the post.
Taking part helps inform decisions on services that shape the community such as healthcare, education, and transport.
However, some residents are worried that their document will not arrive in time because of problems with the post in Basingstoke following a Covid outbreak at the delivery office in Priestley Road.
Chris Aris, from Thyme Close, in Chineham said he has only received deliveries from Royal Mail twice in the last two-and-a-half weeks.
The 71-year-old who is retired said: “It is not only the census information that is at issue here, other, time-sensitive mail is being delayed. Indeed, my wife has twice found out by text on the day before that she has hospital appointments upcoming and yet we still await the official appointment letters.
“Similarly, items like the Radio Times paid in advance by subscription are arriving too late to be of any use.”
As previously reported, Basingstoke’s delivery office has been experiencing “very high levels of absence” following a Covid outbreak.
Royal Mail confirmed that five members of staff tested positive for Covid, and that there have been no more positive cases at the Basingstoke delivery office since.
It said: “We expect the majority of our colleagues to return to work by early next week.”
Mr Aris said he accepted the difficulties faced by Royal Mail, but questioned why post was not being delivered in a fairer way, explaining: “It surely cannot be beyond their wit to organise themselves to ensure that the mail is delivered evenly, rather than some locations being virtually ignored…
“People that we know in other parts of the town, tell us that they are receiving their mail more regularly.”
He added: “It is to be hoped that they [Royal Mail] will pay the £1,000 that will be levied on those people who do not complete their census documents on time because they were not delivered by the Royal Mail.”
