Staffing issues blamed for postal service delays

Postal services in several areas of Cambridgeshire have been delayed because of staffing issues, Royal Mail has said.

The postal service said staff shortages and sickness were causing ongoing issues in Wisbech.

Temporary resourcing challenges were also causing delays at other delivery offices, including Peterborough, a spokesperson added.

Linda, who lives in Wisbech and did not want her surname used, contacted the BBC via Your Voice to say she had been waiting for three weeks for a new debit card to be delivered.

"We've had the odd letter come in, but my bank card that I've had to order twice just hasn't," she said.

"I'm not even going to bother sending Christmas cards this year. It's not worth it."

Beryl Marr, who also lives in the area, said she received a parcel last week but that letters had not been coming through her door regularly for about a month.

"Last week we received about six letters in one day which is abnormal," she said.

"I sent a letter to my daughter - she's in Liverpool at university - about two weeks ago and she still hasn't received it."

North East Cambridgeshire MP Steve Barclay said on social media he had been "contacted by a number of residents about ongoing issues with postal deliveries".

The Conservative MP said he had raised concerns with Royal Mail.

Royal Mail said: "Resourcing pressures have recently affected some deliveries in the area, and we are currently recruiting for temporary and permanent members of staff to support our posties.

"The team is working hard to deliver any outstanding mail as quickly as possible.

"We know there is more to do and remain focused on restoring a reliable and consistent service for customers."

The delivery offices in Peterborough, Orton Southgate, March, and Huntingdon have also experienced delays in recent days.

Royal Mail said this was unrelated to the issues in Wisbech but caused by short-term staffing issues.

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