Residents slam Royal Mail over ‘disgusting’ two-hour opening times
By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter
Residents have hit out at Royal Mail after it slashed the opening times of a local delivery office to just two hours per day.
Peckham and East Dulwich delivery office has only been open from 8am until 10am on weekdays since the summer, when Royal Mail made changes to its schedule.
The delivery office was previously open from 8am until 6pm or 7pm on most weekdays, except Monday.
The changes to the opening times coincided with Royal Mail’s introduction in May of automatic parcel redelivery when a person isn’t home.
But residents visiting the Peckham and East Dulwich Delivery Office last week said the changes were inconvenient and would make them think twice about using Royal Mail again.
Peckham resident Marian Holt, 70, branded the reduced hours “disgusting”.
She said: “I came here once just before 10am and they didn’t let me in. Something needs to be done but they are bigger than me. There’s nowhere online to complain about it.
“The amount of money they get paid and the amount of money for a stamp. It’s disgusting.”
Ms Holt added that she had to visit the delivery office once a week to collect her mail, because her street had been without regular postal deliveries for months.
Alfie Thorenwaite said it was her first time visiting the delivery office, but would probably choose another postal service in future because of the limited hours.
The 23-year-old, who had just got up after working a night shift, said: “I only found out about the hours because my housemate told me about them.
“I think it’s a shame because me and my housemate are going to get stuff delivered to the InPost lockers in our road in the future rather than use Royal Mail.”
Royal Mail said that more than 99 per cent of parcels are now delivered on the first or second attempt, reducing the need for people to collect items from delivery offices.
Pictured top: Marian Holt said the reduced opening hours were “disgusting” (Picture: Robert Firth)
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
