Town's feeling a bit lost without its post

In A small town in Wales, residents are facing mounting frustration over a postal service that's leaving them waiting weeks for essential mail.

- LOIS MCCARTHY

Whether it's medical appointments, bills or important deliveries, locals are discovering that what was once a simple part of daily life has become a chaotic and unreliable system.

That town is Brynmawr, a community in Blaenau Gwent, where complaints about the postal service have reached boiling point. The Brynmawr Community Page on Facebook has become an outlet for residents to voice their discontent, and it's become clear the delays are affecting more than just people’s patience - it’s affecting their health, finances and livelihoods.

For some, the delays are so severe they've missed crucial hospital visits.

One local explained the toll it has taken on their medical appointments, saying: "Only have post once a week now, plays havoc with hospital appointments. Many times I've had the letter after the appointment, making me miss vital treatments."

Another resident shared: "I agree with you as I am a disabled person, have lost hospital appointments due to my post being weeks late or not turning up at all in Brynmawr NP23 postcode area."

The problem is widespread. Several residents report receiving their mail in bursts, only to face long gaps with no deliveries at all. One frustrated person noted: "Seem to get letters, loads in one go then nothing for over a week. I was waiting for a letter from DVLA to tax my car online. In the end, I used my log book info. Good job I did as DVLA letter received way after my tax was due."

Others are experiencing what can only be described as a game of waiting roulette. One local said: "Yes this last five weeks my post never turned up or it’s two to three weeks late.