The people who have been waiting ‘more than three weeks’ for Christmas post

People living across Old Trafford and Stretford say they have still not received their Christmas post.

Concerns were first raised last November when people started complaining that their parcels and letters had not been delivered on time.

Some infuriated people even claim they haven’t had any post delivered for more than three weeks.

Local Labour MP Kate Green has now stepped in after she was contacted by constituents and is now ‘seeking a meeting with Royal Mail management to discuss the concerns’.

The Manchester Evening News understands there have been issues surrounding high levels of staff sickness within Royal Mail.

It comes just weeks after people in south Manchester, including Didsbury and Withington, complained about not receiving post.

People living in Eccles also said they had not had post delivered and had been forced to queue outside a sorting office in the rain back in December.

Post delivered to neighbouring suburbs Old Trafford and Stretford is processed at the Manchester South West Delivery Office on Norton Street.

MP for Stretford and Urmston Kate Green claimed that she had contacted Royal Mail senior management in November about the issue and was told it was down to staff sickness and vacancies.

She said: “Several people have been in touch with me recently regarding local Royal Mail deliveries and I know that issues with post are causing understandable concern in the area.

“I received an update at the start of December that acknowledged high sickness and staff vacancy levels.

“I was assured at the time that a recruitment exercise had been undertaken to address the issues.

“It is clear that things have not improved and I’m therefore seeking a meeting with Royal Mail management as soon as possible to discuss the concerns raised with me.

“I appreciate that many people locally will have faced delays to important items of post over recent weeks.”

She also went on to give thanks to all Royal Mail staff who have continued working throughout the pandemic.

Many people have taken to social media to air their concerns about the delays to their post.

In a Google review of the South West Delivery Office, which has received numerous ‘one star’ reviews in recent weeks, one person said it had been three weeks since they had any post delivered to their door.

They said: “I understand staff shortages and delays due to illness, but NOTHING for three weeks is beyond a joke.

“Frustrated is an understatement! After having no post for almost three weeks, I went to the sorting office to try and collect my post, to be told that it was out for delivery, but two days later and I still have nothing.”

Another wrote: “My post and deliveries have gone from bad to worse, I get notifications of dispatch and over a week later I’m still waiting for deliveries.”

A third angered person said: “We had one day of delivery, Saturday the 18th of December, but nothing since. I am waiting for several different time sensitive important letters, including travel documents.

“I accept that Covid may be affecting staff levels but this appalling lack of service could have been avoided by management simply bringing in support.”

Another added: “I missed a hospital appointment due to delays with Royal Mail in November with the post taking over two weeks to arrive.”

At Royal Mail, there were no collections or deliveries from December 25th to 28th over the Christmas period and also from January 1st-3rd.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Deliveries are operating as normal across most of the country. We aim to deliver to all addresses we have mail for, six days a week.

“In a small number of local offices this may temporarily not be possible due to local issues such as COVID-related self-isolation, higher than usual levels of sickness absence, resourcing or other local factors.

“We are providing targeted support to the local offices affected by these issues.

“Our staff are continuing to work incredibly hard, as they have done throughout the pandemic, and we are thankful for all of their efforts and determination.”

• Are you local and having trouble getting hold of your post? Get in touch with me at james.holt@reachplc.com

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