RESIDENTS who have been left without post for weeks - with some subsequently missing medical appointments as a result - are being supported by a local councillor.

Locals in Middlecliffe, Great Houghton, Little Houghton and Billingley have raised concerns over the lack of post reaching their doors in recent weeks.

Royal Mail are responsible for the delivery of post to residents and many have said they’ve received medical appointment letters late, with some even receiving them after a date of an appointment.

It’s resulted in Coun Kevin Osborne, who represents the Darfield ward, contacting Royal Mail to seek assurances that more will be done to ensure letters are handed over in a timely manner.

He said: “I’ve received several reports from residents in Little Houghton, Middlecliffe, Billingley and Great Houghton about delays to Royal Mail letter deliveries.

“I’ve written directly to Royal Mail to request both an explanation and insight into how delivery standards can be improved for our community.

“I’ve asked for clarity on what’s going wrong, and what steps can be taken to restore the reliable service residents deserve.

“It’s been made clear that Royal Mail are currently prioritising parcel deliveries, but in my view they should not forget the letter service that so many people still rely on - from hospital appointments to legal documents and everyday correspondence, even birthday cards.”

In his letter to Royal Mail, Coun Osborne sought assurance that steps were being taken to ensure residents will receive their mail on time.

He said: “Residents have reported significant delays, with some important correspondence arriving days later than expected, or in some cases, not arriving at all.

“These delays are causing considerable inconvenience, particularly for vulnerable individuals relying on timely communication.

“I would welcome information on any steps Royal Mail is taking, or could take, to improve the reliability and punctuality of deliveries for the affected communities.

“I look forward to working together to ensure residents receive the high standard of service they expect.”

Coun Osborne said that some residents had been in touch to say that some of their mail had been coming through this week - with some receiving more than a dozen letters at a time.

A spokesperson for Royal Mail said: “We understand how frustrating it is when post does not arrive as expected, and we want to reassure customers that the vast majority of mail is delivered as planned.

“Where a delay affects a route, we work to resolve it as quickly as possible by putting in extra support and reviewing performance daily to restore deliveries as quickly as possible.”