Residents’ frustration over three-week mail delay

Inhabitants of a street close to Sevenoaks have voiced their displeasure regarding the absence of mail delivery for more than three weeks. Individuals residing on Collet Road in Kemsing are anticipating crucial correspondence, including medical appointment confirmations, bank statements, and cheques. Michael Creasey, a regular patient at Moorfields Eye Hospital, who is awaiting confirmation for an appointment scheduled for early next year, commented: “It’s a bit of a worry.” A spokesperson for Royal Mail stated that both letters and parcels are given equivalent priority, and should a delivery route encounter a delay, the company would aim to give precedence to that specific area on the subsequent day. Mr. Creasey mentioned that he frequently contacts his doctor’s surgery to inquire about updates. He remarked: “I should have the letter by now.” Delivery vehicles are still observed within the tranquil residential area situated at the village’s periphery, yet their deliveries are restricted solely to parcels. Royal Mail is legally mandated to deliver all addressed correspondence, encompassing mail directed “To the Occupier” alongside items personally addressed to an individual by name. Penny Tooth has similarly not received any mail for more than three weeks and was informed by a postman that there was insufficient time to deliver letters to her residence. She recounted: “I spoke to one of them who told me that because we are at the end of their round, they are over their hours, so have to return to the depot before they can reach our road.” Ms. Tooth additionally tried to retrieve her mail from the Royal Mail sorting office located in Tonbridge, 10 miles distant, but was informed that this was not feasible. She stated: “We’re all very angry. We can’t get our mail and it’s stuck in a sorting office.” Royal Mail commented: “We encourage anyone who has concerns about their deliveries to contact us directly.” Connect with BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Submit your story concepts to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or reach us via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights are reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.