Royal Mail is still failing to deliver post regularly to a large part of Portslade, a councillor said.
Independent councillor Peter Atkinson, who represents North Portslade, said that he had been raising the issue of delayed postal deliveries from the Boundary Road sorting office since last Christmas.
In May this year, Royal Mail was investigated by Ofcom, Britain’s communications regulator, over its failure to meet performance targets nationally.
Councillor Atkinson has asked Royal Mail to come clean over what streets, roads and estates are being regularly missed and also what their plans were to urgently deal with the problem.
Councillor Atkinson said: “It is totally unacceptable. I have residents who don’t receive mail for weeks at a time, sometimes over a month.
“Not everyone uses the internet or email and for some residents the result of non-receipt of mail can be very serious.
“Our local MP, Peter Kyle, is also involved which is really helpful but in all conscience I can’t just ignore these comments from residents.”
Residents in North Portslade have been reporting to Councillor Atkinson about the effects of postal delays.
One complaint said: “I had a delivery on (Saturday) 9 September and, in the 12 letters, there was a letter from a hospital dated (Thursday) 24 August for my appointment on 10 September.
“I’ve had to make urgent contact with the hospital to explain why I hadn’t confirmed the appointment.”
Another complaint said: “I live and work in Portslade. We had a delivery at work today (Saturday 9 September). The franked mail from one of our suppliers was dated (Monday) 14 August.”
Ofcom rules state that, excluding the Christmas period, Royal Mail is required to deliver 93 per cent of first class mail within one working day of collection, deliver 98.5 per cent of second class mail within three working days of collection and complete 99.9 per cent of delivery routes on each day that a delivery is required.
The Royal Mail said: “We are committed to restoring our quality of service to our customers.
“We have plans in place and dedicated teams responsible for improving deliveries in Portslade and throughout our delivery offices nationwide.
“Over the last six weeks we have recruited around 3,000 postmen and women and are continuing to recruit about 500 permanent positions a week in delivery.
“To support the physical and mental health of our employees and assist them in their return to work, we have introduced a wellbeing programme which provides colleagues with free, confidential and independent healthcare support, including unlimited 24/7 access to an online GP.
I received a Christmas card last week from last year. The letter inside was dated 5.12.2022 & the postmark was the 19. 9.2023. It was wet all round the edges.
For the prices we pay for our postage, which keep rising, it is not good enough.
It’s not just Portslade , it’s Kemptown too. We’re lucky to get a delivery once a week now which is a total disgrace. Royal Mail is not fit for purpose!
Yes this private company IS unfit for purpose.
Instead of serving the public and businesses their focus is on generating dividends.
it’s not just Portslade but the Portslade office that is the problem. I am receiving mail about ONCE every THREE weeks & I live in Southwick. The Post Office should be sued for breach of contract!
It’s the same all that the country,looking at news feeds. Royal mail obviously aren’t employing enough People.
I think they are trying to force the change in the USO,and deliver letters 5 days.Do they don’t need to employ more staff,this shortage in delivering will continue for a while
Is anyone getting any post on time in Hove?
Literally ordering things from Wish/AliExpress that go via China then on to Hermes that are arriving before Royal Mail post sent from inside the UK.
They are diabolically awful at the moment! No joke!