RESIDENTS no longer getting their post thought they’d won a reprieve when Royal Mail sent out details of a change in delivery times.

Dozens of people on unmade roads no longer get letters and parcels delivered because Royal Mail said it was a health and safety risk.

Mike Petthurst, 71, of Swale Road, Benfleet, is one of the people affected, and was given a letter from the Benfleet delivery centre.

The letter stated: “We will continue to deliver in the morning and for a longer period during the night.”

Mr Petthurst was initially hopeful Royal Mail was reinstating delivery services, but has since discovered the letter was sent to him and other neighbours in error.

He said: “They’re sending people letters saying their post will be delivered, but we had no idea if that’s the case or not.

“Why post the letters to people on those delivery routes?”

A Royal Mail spokesman confirmed to the Echo that post would still not be delivered to the homes.

He said: “The temporary suspension of deliveries to a number of addresses in Benfleet is not related to the recent deployment of new delivery practices in the town.

“Royal Mail began rolling out changes to its delivery operations across the UK nearly 18 months ago, and is now doing so in Benfleet. When changes to deliveries are made, we write to all households and businesses in the locality.

“In fact, three million letters have already been sent across the country in areas where we have made changes.

“Royal Mail’s purpose is to deliver mail, and it delivers to almost 29 million addresses across the UK.

“It is always a last resort if we decided not to deliver to a specific area.”

The changes to post routes mean people’s mail will arrive at different times depending on where they live.

Changes will also mean some residents have to say farewell to their regular postmen and women.