Related Articles
MP Derek Twigg said ‘it is not good enough’ and demands action be taken by the postal service after Widnes local sorting office confirmed letters have been ‘stacked up’ for ‘weeks’ due to understaffing.
“In some areas of Widnes, in particular parts of North Widnes, letters have not been delivered for weeks,” he said.
“In my opinion, this is not the fault of Widnes Sorting Office or our local postal workers.
“I am told it is because Royal Mail are not recruiting enough staff to cover holidays and sickness and are prioritising parcels over letters and that this is also happening in other areas across the country.”
Highlighting how these delays can have detrimental effects on residents, Mr Twigg said: “Important documents are being held up, NHS appointment letters are not being delivered, which could have terrible consequences for my constituents.
“I have contacted our local hospitals to warn them of the appalling situation with Royal Mail.”
One Widnes resident Diane Aspinall said she was awaiting an important letter and had noticed she had not received anything through the post in several weeks.
“In June we started to get no post. There were suddenly no vans around and no posties,” she said.
“I was waiting for something urgent to come. When I finally saw a postie, I asked what had happened and he said there was a staff issue and there was a three-week backlog.
“They were prioritising parcels over mail.”
Diane explained how her husband who drives for a living was waiting for his tachograph card to be delivered, without it he cannot work.
“Eventually I went to the delivery office in Widnes, there was a huge que of people waiting for the same reason,” she said.
“Its just a worry if you miss a hospital appointment letter or something similarly urgent.”
The Halton MP addressed the issue with Royal Mail after receiving many complaints from residents.
“I contacted the CEO of Royal Mail on July 27 and advised that this situation cannot continue, my constituents need their letters to be delivered to them.
“I have asked what steps Royal Mail are taking to address these severe problems and when my constituents can expect that they will see the return of their letters being delivered.
“I have also raised this with Government Ministers and will continue to pursue this matter for my constituents.
“Royal Mail is the Universal Service Provider and has a duty to deliver letters.”
Royal Mail have been contacted for comment on the issue but are yet to respond.
