Brighton mum offers to sort post to ensure presents arrive on time

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1979377 ... rive-time/

A MOTHER fears that presents for her daughter will not arrive in time for Christmas due to a backlog at a Royal Mail depot.

Melissa McClements, from Preston Park in Brighton said that she is waiting for several presents to arrive from family in Scotland, but currently does not know where they are or if they will arrive for the day itself.

She said she realised parcels she was ordering online were not turning up on time, with one present ordered in late October not arriving until last week.

Melissa tried speaking to Royal Mail directly and, after waiting a long time to speak to someone, they confirmed that there was a backlog at the depot, but did not explain what they are doing to try and resolve the issue.

She said: "As I understand it, they've got terrible staffing problems and there's a huge glut of mail.

"I feel very sorry for individual postmen and women as they do a tough job and I think they are massively under-resourced and don't have enough people."

Melissa also said it has been a disappointing time for children and that it would be a shame if Christmas was spoiled as a result of issues with the postal service.

She said: "Kids have had a whole string of disappointments over the last two years.

"My daughter was going to be taking part in the Burning of the Clocks parade for the first time. So many things have been cancelled.

"We understand why the measures are necessary but all I'm asking is some communications around the plan to sort things. I'll even go down there myself and help - I just want her to have her presents.

"My mum would like to know that her presents have arrived for her granddaughter but I can't give her any concrete information as to what is happening or if it will be resolved in time.

"I understand the pressures - it would just be good to know what the plan is."

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: "The vast majority of mail and parcels are delivered safely and on time.

"We aim to deliver to all addresses we have mail for, six days a week. In some areas of Brighton, we have been experiencing some delays to service due to resourcing issues and absences.

"We have been working hard to get our levels of service back to normal as soon as possible and the situation is improving. We apologise to customers for any inconvenience they may have experienced."