WHAT has happened to Royal Mail?

It seems our local postal service is in total disarray. Mail that was sent to me first class from Reading, posted on December 20, finally arrived on January 8. Another letter, this time from Chippenham, posted on December 29 arrived on January 6. Why is the mail taking so long? And why is my mail delivered any time between 8am and 4pm, if at all? It can’t all be blamed on the poor weather before Christmas as this has been going on for some time.

Having spoken to a couple of postmen recently they claim that it is all because of new working practises. They also explained most streets in Covingham (and other residential areas?) do not have ‘rounds’ any more. Delivery is reliant on postmen who, having finished delivering to the commercial areas, having time left in their shift (or to work overtime) to deliver to residential areas. Hardly the first class service we pay for (and with a pending increase to come).

Perhaps a passing Royal Mail manager would care to comment.

PHIL MALYON Baskerville Road Covingham Swindon