POSTAL delays in Colchester “will take weeks to be cleared”, according to a Royal Mail postie.

Residents faced days of disruption after issues at Colchester’s Royal Mail delivery office halted deliveries to eight of the city's postcode areas.

Colchester was removed from a list of areas experiencing delays last Tuesday but a source from inside the delivery office claims the backlog is actually getting worse.

They also claimed Colchester currently has 33 full time vacancies and nearly all agency staff have been let go.

The postal worker, who has chosen to remain anonymous, said: “There is a massive backlog at the Colchester delivery office which will take weeks to be cleared.

Gazette: Royal Mail

“Over the past few weeks, the backlog at the Colchester delivery office has got worse and worse.

“Unsorted letters are piled up in boxes, and sacks of parcels are everywhere. Larger parcels are on trolleys in aisles.

“Whilst deliveries are going out every day, without enough staff the backlog just gets worse.

“Without an input of money to pay for the hire of extra vans and staff it is impossible to see how Colchester Royal Mail can start functioning as an effective delivery office.”

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According to the staffer, a ban on overtime, which was recently lifted in part, also means “work doesn’t get completed” and if postal workers have a day off or are on holiday "their post round will just be left".

Bosses at Royal Mail, however, have now responded to the claims and issued an apology to the residents of Colchester. 

A spokesman said: “Overtime continues to be available to colleagues when it is required, depending on our workload at any given time.

“We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused to customers who have recently experienced delays in [Colchester].

“We are now operating as normal in Colchester, with deliveries taking place six days a week when there is mail to be delivered.

Gazette: No postal worker vacancies are currently advertised in Colchester, despite Royal Mail saying it is continuing to advertise vacancies on [its] website.No postal worker vacancies are currently advertised in Colchester, despite Royal Mail saying it is continuing to advertise vacancies on [its] website. (Image: Royal Mail)

“We have sufficient resources in place to manage our anticipated workload locally.

"Anyone who has concerns over the delivery of their mail should contact the Royal Mail customer service team.”

The postal service added it is “continuing to advertise vacancies for postal workers on [its] website, including temporary workers”.

However, as of today, the Gazette found no vacancies advertised in Colchester.