'This is simply not good enough': Halifax's MP pledges action as residents go weeks without any post
Days – and sometimes weeks - of late post is leading to missed hospital appointments and the chance to appeal parking fines.
Halifax’s MP Kate Dearden is pledging to tackle the issue after hearing from constituents who say they are facing long delays in receiving their letters – sometimes very important ones.
One posted on Ms Dearden’s social media: “We get a huge pile of mail every three weeks or so, some letters dated over a month ago.”
Another posted: “Some people are having to resort to picking up their own mail from Gaol Lane.”
And one posted: “We’ve not had post for almost three weeks.
Many, including Ms Dearden, are keen to stress they do not believe the issue is with postmen and women.
But the MP says she does want to see the matter addressed by Royal Mail.
"I know constituents across Halifax have been suffering poor service from Royal Mail in recent months,” she posted.
"This has meant delays to receiving important post, and in some cases people have missed important hospital appointments or the opportunity to appeal parking and speeding fines.
"This is simply not good enough. That’s why I have raised these failings directly with Royal Mail and demanded action.
"As the newly appointed minister responsible for postal services, I will not shy away from holding Royal Mail to account for its failures.
"I will make sure the voices of Halifax residents are heard as we work to secure a better postal service for the whole of Britain.”
She added that speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions about the postal service nationwide, Andy Burnham had made clear his expectations of Royal Mail and the action that needs to be taken to deliver a better service across the country.
“Everyone deserves to know that their post will arrive on time,” added Ms Dearden.
She urged anyone in Halifax and Sowerby Bridge who have been impacted by missed deliveries to contact her office via [email protected].