Postman fails to deliver

Post workers are growing concerned about safety

A woman who suffers from severe arthritis has complained to the Royal Mail after her postman refused to deliver mail through her door.

Josephine Porton, 75, said the problem began two years ago when a new postman started on the delivery round.

He has apparently complained that the block of flats in Sunderland where she lives was not safe, and his bosses at the Royal Mail agreed with him.

Managers say they sympathise with Mrs Porton's complaint, but insist they have fulfilled their responsibility by delivering to a communal post box on the ground floor of Burdon House, in Hendon.

'Final straw'

Mrs Porton told BBC Radio Newcastle: "I live by myself here. I'm not frightened or afraid because this is not a dangerous house."

"He has used so many excuses over the last two years not to deliver my mail through my own letter box.

"I can't see any reason at all. Unless the postman is ailing and he can't walk the streets then I'm afraid he should not have a job as a postman.

"I think the final straw was when I had to go and collect my post from Mary Street.

"I can hardly walk never mind go to Mary Street every day.

Personal safety

In a statement, the Royal Mail said it had offered two delivery alternatives to Mrs Porton.

One would involve Mrs Porton installing her own secure post box on the ground floor or collecting mail from the company's customer enquiry office on Mary Street.

The statement said: "The postman was worried about his own personal safety by having to deliver to the top floor of these flats and, following a visit to these flats by health and safety managers, we have agreed with his concerns."

Hendon councillor Gary Dent told BBC Radio Newcastle the flats in question were "perfectly normal".