Snow-bound mail excuse cuts no ice

AN angry councillor claimed the postal service to his village during snow 60 years ago was better than this week.

Locals in Denshaw contacted ward councillor Alan Roughley concerned that the post has not been delivered since last weekend.

Councillor Roughley said: “In the appalling winter of 1947, when the weather was much worse than the snow we’ve had this week, the postman delivered wearing skis.

“The situation this week is frankly ridiculous. I suspect that this is an example of health and safety regulations taken too far.”

Elwyn Watkins, Lib-Dem Parliamentary spokesman for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: “I have contacted the Royal Mail for an explanation.

“They say that deliveries in some areas badly affected by snow will not begin again until the weather clears up.

“In the Big Freeze of 1963 the country was frozen over from January until early March, but virtually all public services continued despite the snow.

“When conditions were really bad, they left post at the local Post Office to collect, which showed some initiative.

“I suspect this problem may be more widespread than just Denshaw — it is possible that much of Saddleworth and the hills around Oldham are being ignored yet again.

“Considering how well Oldham Council has coped with this week’s snow, I do think the Royal Mail could have done a little better,” he added.

Councillor Roughley said: “Royal Mail hasn’t covered itself in glory in the snow.

“The first post for a week has been delivered to some parts of Denshaw but others are still waiting.

“It was different in years gone by when the postman always seemed to get through.

“You would think that Royal Mail, fighting for its future against foreign competition, would be anxious to give good service.”

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Deliveries to Denshaw have been subject to disruption as a result of the adverse weather conditions and we apologise to customers for any inconvenience. We have made some deliveries to the village on Thursday and we’re doing everything we can to return to normal service as soon as possible.”