In reply to letters about the non-delivery of mail to properties in unmade roads in Benfleet, I would like to set the writers straight.

We do not receive a reduction in council tax for living on an unadopted road.

There is reasonable street lighting, certainly in The Chase.

The road is perfectly safe to drive down, indeed I have done so for 20 years without damage to my car, an ordinary Ford Focus, providing you drive at a sensible speed, such as 10mph.

Furthermore, Royal Mail stopped this essential service without any warning or prior consultation.

We returned from holiday to find we now have to journey to the sorting office to collect our mail.

Any mail not collected within three weeks will be returned to sender – only one week for recorded delivery letters.

Will Royal Mail now refuse to deliver to any road where there are potholes, or the road is uneven?

Perhaps your path is not perfectly flat, or your gate has an awkward catch? To hide behind health and safety as a reason for non-delivery is frankly ridiculous.

Our paper boy continues to provide an excellent service, riding his bike to deliver our newspaper, whatever the weather.

Sainsburys and Tesco vans are still managing the perilous journey. So, incidentally, is Royal Mail’s own Parcelforce.

Carol Smith
The Chase
Thundersley