Old Basing residents say they have had no post for days

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https://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/ne ... post-days/

THE ‘majority’ of routes in Basingstoke have daily postal deliveries, according to Royal Mail which has responded to criticism from the public.

As previously reported, Royal Mail announced on Monday, December 11 that some areas of Basingstoke and Deane are experiencing disruption caused by sickness absences, vacancies and an increased demand during the Christmas period.

It said mail was still being delivered daily in the borough.

However, residents told the Gazette that the problems are much worse, with some saying they have not received post for weeks and that the problems have been ongoing since last year.

Royal Mail has now responded to say: “While there have been some delays recently, there is no mail that is being delayed for weeks or other significant periods of time and the majority of routes in the area are seeing daily deliveries.

“However, due to lower staffing levels from vacancies and sick absence, a small number of routes are being rotated and deliveries are being made every other day where necessary.”

Since publishing the initial article about the problems, we have been inundated with emails from residents saying they have experienced problems for months, with significant issues in the Old Basing area.

Helen Armstrong, from Byfleet Avenue, in Old Basing, said she has “major concerns” over the lack of post.

She said: “For several months we appear to only receive mail twice or at best three times a week. We then get a cluster of mail which has dates suggesting it should have been delivered sooner. This is very frustrating particularly when it has first class stamps on it. I nearly missed a hospital appointment as the post was so delayed.

“The current situation is even worse, we last received mail on 29th November 2023 and I am well aware of post that should have arrived by now. Thirteen days without post is unheard of for our address and certainly at this time we would be expecting Christmas cards and to date none have been delivered.

“I find it remarkable that Amazon can deliver within 24 hours but Royal Mail appear unable to deliver for 13 days.”

Helen said that other residents have also reported no post for more than a week.

She added: “I saw the postman yesterday and the poor man is totally over run doing his best. He told me he works a 70 hour week and had just had four days off and in his absence no post had been delivered. He advised he hadn’t collected Byfleet Avenue post that day as he had so much for elsewhere in the village but today again no post.

“If any other company delivered such terrible service you would seek a refund but the Royal Mail appear to increase stamp prices and reduce the service.”

Deborah Thorne, from Blenheim Road, also in Old Basing, said they had no post for 11 days.

She said: “I have checked with local neighbours and friends and all are saying they have received nothing.

“It’s ridiculous that a company is failing to do its basic role. I did see a post van yesterday and spoke to the driver who was so nice. He said he’d been sent out with parcels only and that there are mountains of unsorted letters at the depot and he has no idea when or if they will be organised, let alone delivered.

“Surely something needs to be done urgently to address this awful lack of service, it really isn’t good enough and if anyone is waiting for hospital appointments or other urgent mail, they have no chance.”

Graeme Taylor, from High Drive, in South Ham, Basingstoke, said problems first started for him in March this year.

He said: “About half a dozen times until June we had to ring Royal Mail after not getting any post to 11 to 12 days in a row. It got a little better between July and October, now back to having to ring them to get a delivery sometimes.”

Royal Mail was asked for further information about the delays in Old Basing. A spokesperson said: "We will prioritise routes that do not receive their deliveries on the day they expect, and make every effort to ensure any delay is kept to a minimum."