Postal deliveries in parts of Leeds suspended due to icy weather

Postal deliveries to parts of Leeds have been suspended as a result of the wintry weather and sub-zero temperatures in the city.

Royal Mail said “challenging conditions” had affected deliveries to a number of streets and that it had prioritised staff safety, although it said it was continuing to serve less badly affected areas.

Temperatures in Leeds could plummet to as low as -10C on Friday and are unlikely to remain above freezing for a substantial period of time until Sunday.

One retired postal worker living in the city said he had gone a week without post until he received a batch of four letters on Thursday dating back to 2 January.

Trevor Bailey, 78, from Middleton, said he had called up the Royal Mail’s nearby Hunslet depot and was frustrated to learn they had suspended deliveries to his street.

He said he was told customers were still welcome to collect deliveries from the depot themselves.

But Mr Bailey said: “I’m nearly 80 and I’m severely disabled. Why is it OK for me to go out and not them?

“It’s caused problems.”

Mr Bailey, who worked as a postie in Leeds for four years during his working life, added: “We went out in all weathers.

“They’ve done this before when I was expecting a letter about a hospital appointment.

“I called the hospital and asked where it was, and it was just that my post was being withheld.”

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Snow and ice on paths and roads in Leeds have created challenging conditions in some areas and affected certain deliveries.

“We are monitoring these conditions and continue to make deliveries to less affected areas, the safety of our colleagues is a priority.

“We thank customers for their patience while we work hard to ensure deliveries continue.”

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.