Mum's birthday plans for twins ruined as staff shortages cause delays to post

• Watch a report by Russell Hookey

Lisa Camarda from Great Baddow near Chelmsford had ordered party supplies such as balloons and party poppers for her twins' birthday, none of which arrived in time for the big day on the 6th November.

"I'm currently left paying for a service that I haven't actually received. Royal Mail take no accountability for that, I don't know who to go to for any type of refund.

"A huge bulk of their birthday cards didn't arrive until this week, so after the event. I don't actually know if there's still stuff to be delivered."

• Watch an interview with Lisa Camarda on the postal delays

Problems with Royal Mail deliveries in Chelmsford have left some people without any post for nearly three weeks.

It is mainly affecting those in the CM1 post code and is due to the pandemic, staff sickness and a review of delivery rounds.

Royal Mail said, "We apologise to customers for any inconvenience they may experience as we work hard to resolve the situation.”

A spokesperson for the Communication Workers Union said: "Our members have been under tremendous pressure - not just now, but since the start of the pandemic.

"Despite this, they have done an incredible job in keeping the country connected.

"We ask the public to recognise the tremendous job CWU members are doing in frustrating and difficult circumstances."

The MP for Chelmsford Vicky Ford said many constituents had contacted her about the issue.

On her Facebook page Vick Ford MP posted: "Royal Mail is adapting to the rapidly changing nature of the modern postbag, which now comprises of more parcels and fewer letters.

"Since the start of the pandemic there has been a rapid acceleration in the decline of letters and the increase in parcels.

"Royal Mail have needed to periodically review delivery rounds including those which serve Chelmsford. This is to ensure that postmen and women each have a fair distribution of workload.

"After a review of delivery rounds in Chelmsford, changes were implemented the week commencing Monday 25 October.

"This meant that every delivery round that originates from Chelmsford Delivery Office has changed. Every postman and woman is now delivering to a revised round.

"Unfortunately these changes have coincided with a higher than normal rate of sick absence. This has led to some disruption and Royal Mail have told me that they wholeheartedly apologise for this."