ROYAL Mail has bowed to public pressure and will now deliver to unmade roads in Benfleet.

More than 120 homes in 13 unmade roads were told in October it was too dangerous for posties to deliver letters and parcels.

But following a second health and safety inspection, Royal Mail has backtracked and will deliver to all but six homes.

Simon Shepherd, 47, of The Chase, said he was thrilled after having to collect his mail twice a week for five weeks.

He said: “That’s the last thing I would have thought we’d hear.

“It’s great news, really nice to hear.”

Mel South, 60, of Wensley Road said: “It’s a real godsend. It was a bit of a pain to have to collect our mail all the time.

“We’ve done a lot of work down our road, though, got some hardcore and filled in the potholes.”

The first health and safety assessment by Royal Mail found there were risks to drivers and potential for damage to delivery vans.

But following the Echo’s exclusive story, the decision was met with widespread disgust across the country.

Castle Point Tory MP Rebecca Harris said: “I’m really delighted people will start receiving their mail in time for Christmas.

“The news was an unexpected relief for residents who thought they were fighting a losing battle.”

Mail still won’t be delivered to six properties in Catherine Road and Fane Road, but Mrs Harris said she would work to have ongoing issues resolved.

Royal Mail apologised to customers for the inconvenience, but said it took the safety of postmen and women seriously.

Nicola Scrivings, regional operations director said: “We have looked closely at these suspensions and, based on the recommendations of our safety experts, we are pleased that we are now able to reinstate deliveries to the vast majority of customers who were affected.

“These recommendations include assigning a different vehicle to delivery routes and reorganising the routes by which we access these addresses.”

Unmade roads are those which are not maintained by the council.