NEW delivery procedures have left the postal service in Andover in meltdown, forcing Royal Mail to apologise for the “poor service”.

The Andover Advertiser has received several reports of sporadic deliveries, post going to wrong addresses and people missing hospital appointments in both Andover and Ludgershall over the past few weeks.

In Andover, an Eastfield Road resident has been receiving post for three other properties, forcing him to deliver items to the correct houses himself.

TomTorrance, 48, has been repeatedly receiving post for the properties either side of his address and for the same numbered property on Vigo Road, but it was only when he was waiting for a cheque from his insurance company that he realised there was a delay.

Mr Torrance, said: “My car was in the garage and I was waiting for the cheque to arrive to get the car sorted out.”

T h e f inal straw for the coach driver came when he saw the postman on a neighbouring road after waiting a week.

Mr Torrance asked him whether he was delivering to Eastfield Road and was told that there would be no deliveries that day due to time constraints, though the postman did have the cheque in his possession and handed it over.

Mr Torrance has phoned Royal Mail twice to complain and was told that a manager would ring back, but as yet he has not received a response to those calls.

In Ludgershall, one resident missed a hospital appointment as they did not receive their post on time.

Ludgershall Town Council chairman Owen White said: “People are paying for first class post and getting a third class service.”

Delays in deliveries have also been reported in the Bishop’s Way and Junction Road areas of Andover.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: “Royal Mail has recently introduced a change to delivery procedures at its Andover office to reflect the changing nature of the mailbag – more parcels and fewer letters.

“We sincerely apologise to any customer who has experienced poor service in recent weeks, however we are confident these issues are now being dealt with.

“Any customer who has a specific concern about their mail should contact our customer service number on 03457 740740 so that their complaint can be properly logged and investigated.”

Have you experienced postal problems? E-mail your views to newsdesk@andoveradvertiser.co.uk