Post deliveries have become increasingly ‘chaotic’ in Weymouth with many worried about missing hospital appointments.
Residents in Southill have said they are experiencing fewer deliveries of post which are becoming unpredictable, with some saying their letters are coming in irregular clumps.
It has sparked concern that a future initiative planned for Royal Mail, that would see a reduction in delivery days, has already been implemented in the area.
As previously reported, the 2nd Class service could be reduced to alternating weekdays, with the Saturday service scrapped altogether. 1st class should be delivered six days a week.
Residents Kevin and Julie Lucas, who live on Mead Road said their post seems to be more sporadic.
Julie had an important letter regarding her pension that was dated April 23, which she did not receive until May 7.
Julie: “We get loads all at once. We see a postman every day, but we only get post a couple of times a week.”
The couple explained that fewer postal deliveries would negatively impact the community, especially for elderly people in the area.
Kevin said: “As you get older you tend to need more hospital appointments so I think that would be an issue.”
David Wyke, who lives on Radipole Lane, explained his wife received a letter confirming a hospital appointment the day after it was due to take place. Thankfully, the appointment was not missed as the couple received confirmation via telephone.
He said: “We haven’t had our post yet today. We expect to receive it around 3pm or 4pm which is very late. It’s not the posties’ fault but it can vary. Whatever we say it will contradict the following week. We will get messed about this week and then next week it will up the road.
“It’s chaotic,” he added.
Not everyone in Southill appears to be affected by the delays, but those who have are most worried about medical appointments being missed.
Terry Pavey, also from Radipole Lane said: “It seems to come in in one big lump. It’s as if it’s being delivered every 2 to 3 days.
My wife goes to a heart failure clinic and they rang to ask if we were coming because our post went astray. There is something not quite right.”
His wife Janice said: “Something is desperately wrong.”
Cllr David Harris, representing Radipole and Southill, was aware of the nationwide initiative but hoped it had not been implemented without prior warning.
He said: “We get post normally. There may be some who do not, but they haven’t complained to me as councillor yet. We get a reasonable amount of post, but not every day."
When asked about those missing medical appointment letters, he said: “I am very concerned that this is happening before the plans have been fully consulted on and people haven’t been able to plan accordingly. That is very bad news.
“I believe that this is being planned for the post office but it should not have happened yet.”
Royal Mail did not confirm or deny whether the new initiative had been implemented in Weymouth.
A spokesperson for Royal Mail said: “We apologise that our Weymouth office is currently experiencing staff shortages, which is a temporary issue affecting deliveries in the area.
"Any routes that are missed due to this are covered the next day, so addresses do not go long periods without a delivery. We are working hard on recruitment and expect to restore our usual high standard of service soon.”
