A sheriff has complained of “the dreadful state we are in” as the result of a backlog of mail at the Dundee East sorting office.
Sheriff Richard Davidson commented during the case of a woman who had previously admitted charges of being in the supply of heroin and possession of dihydrocodeine.
The woman’s solicitor said it came as “no surprise” that his client had not received a letter confirming a social work appointment as his own wife had only just received a letter sent on December 19.
Sheriff Davidson said it was an increasing problem for the sheriff court with regard to the likes of jury citations.
“It is a dreadful state that we are in when we can no longer rely on the Royal Mail,” he said.
Sheriff Davidson said that while there had been “increasing difficulty in postal services,” a report had how been prepared and she should make her solicitor aware if she did not receive further communications.
Meanwhile a businessman claims Royal Mail has “shot itself in the foot” by failing to get a grip on the problems that have beset Dundee East.
Rembrand Timber finance director Steve Samson said the effect postal delays have on business could force companies to seek alternative delivery services.
“The problems have been going on for two-and-a-half to three months now,” he said, adding that he received mail this week that had taken five weeks to travel from Falkirk.
“This is having an adverse effect on businesses,” he went on.
“It is just quite frustrating because a lot of people still pay by cheque and orders are still received in the mail.
“We are in quite a good position but a lot of local trades guys aren’t.
“I have been speaking to local tradesmen and, if they are relying on people paying them through the mail, it causes them real difficulties.”
Mr Samson said he had written to Royal Mail but had received only a standard response, saying a new system was in place and promising matters would improve.
“They have had a stranglehold but I think they have shot themselves in the foot because people like us could start to look for alternatives and ways to bypass Royal Mail because they just don’t seem to care about their customers,” he added.