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By Arundhati Mukherjee
PEOPLE across Tameside have missed critical medical appointments and some even faced legal consequences because of severe postal delays.
Problems with Royal Mail deliveries have been mounting since late last year.
And one man even claims the backlog saw him fined hundreds of pounds and get points on his driving licence.
Now Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds says he has taken the issue up with Royal Mail chiefs.
When Dylan rushed to catch a flight in early December, he had no idea a speeding fine would spiral into a court summons. Not because he ignored it, but because he never received it.
According to procedure, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) sent follow-up letters after receiving no response within 21 days.
They sent another. Still no reply.
What the DVLA did not know was that the letters had not arrived.
Just two days before Christmas, the 23-year-old finally received a bundle of post delivered all at once, including multiple DVLA warnings and notification of a court hearing for failing to respond in time.
And a letter concerning the matter dated December 7 is not thought to have been delivered until January 20.
Dylan’s mother, Rebecca Hyde, experienced an even more alarming delay.
Diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing radiotherapy, she received 19 letters in a single batch in the first week of February, some dated as far back as December 12, 2025.
Among them were hospital appointments she unknowingly missed.
She must now wait for her next NHS appointment while her treatment is delayed.
Their experience is not isolated.
One Mottram parent said their disabled daughter was discharged from a medical service after missing appointments due to undelivered letters.
They said: “I have missed medical appointments for my disabled daughter and was discharged from one service because of no response.
“Now back on a waiting list. It’s unbelievable.”
Several residents claim they were advised by postal workers to collect letters directly from sorting offices, with some alleging that parcels are being prioritised over standard mail.
Such a practice would conflict with Royal Mail’s Universal Service Obligation, which legally requires the delivery of letters six days a week to every UK household and is regulated by Ofcom.
Tameside Councillor John Taylor told The Correspondent he had been contacted by “hundreds” of residents since before Christmas.
“Christmas cards, birthday cards, hospital appointments, all arriving late, sometimes lots of letters together. One house in Dukinfield received 14 pieces of mail in a bundle,” he said.
“People are going to the sorting office to find their mail on a shelf waiting to be delivered.
“There are lots of nice comments about local posties, residents aren’t blaming them. But the disruption is real.”
Mr Reynolds confirmed he has raised concerns directly with Royal Mail.
“I know many residents are experiencing ongoing delays,” he commented.
“So I’m now seeking a formal meeting to get clear answers and push for improvements.
“If anyone is being told to collect ordinary letters from the sorting office rather than receiving them at home, that shouldn’t be happening and should be reported.”
He added that the volume of complaints has “risen sharply” in recent months, with problems now reported across the whole constituency and wider region.
A joint meeting between the Government’s Chief Whip of Parliament, his Ashton-under-Lyne colleague Angela Rayner MP and Royal Mail is scheduled for Friday, February 27.
Responding to enquiries from The Correspondent, a Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Resourcing challenges have recently impacted deliveries in Stalybridge and Hyde, and we apologise to customers for any inconvenience.
“We are currently recruiting new posties and expect service to be restored to our usual high standards shortly.
“We are meeting with Mr Reynolds in the coming weeks to discuss his concerns.”
