MP insists complaint letters were emailed, “just in case”
The Royal Mail has been slapped with a £21 million fine by Ofcom for failing to deliver letters on time, news that prompted no gasps in Heywood and Middleton, where residents have been playing postal roulette for months.
One local man said, “My post arrives so late I half expect the Queen to still be alive when I open it.”
Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell, who has repeatedly raised the issue, confirmed she did send Royal Mail a letter of complaint. But to be safe, she also emailed it, tweeted it, and stapled a printed copy to a passing pigeon.
“Posties are working hard,” she clarified. “It’s not them, it’s the system. And by system, I mean the chaotic Bermuda Triangle that is the Middleton sorting office.”
Local stories of postal chaos are stacking up faster than undelivered letters. NHS appointments have been missed. Job offers lost. One man claims he only just received his 2011 census form.
Councillor Kath Bromfield shared her recent struggles: “I was told my house was ‘inaccessible’ for one parcel, while three others were delivered without issue. Apparently, logic is not part of the Royal Mail’s delivery route.”
Residents like Heidi Jane have reached boiling point. “Another hospital letter turned up today, for an appointment two days ago. I’d laugh if I wasn’t sobbing into my missed MRI.”
Meanwhile, Jeremy Daniels asked Mrs Blundell whether Royal Mail had even received her letter. Her reply? “Don’t worry, I emailed it too. Unlike the post, email actually arrives.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said they “regret the delays” and are “working hard to improve”. Unfortunately, the press release arrived two days after the fine was announced.
As for the fine itself? One Middleton resident quipped, “Good luck paying it by post. Might get there in 2027.”
