Cobbles 'dangerous' for postmen

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/8499000.stm

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Royal Mail has upset residents of a Devon town by refusing to deliver post along a "dangerous" cobbled street.

The regular postman refused after slipping on Bilton Terrace, in Bideford, before Christmas.

A Royal Mail manager then visited the terrace and told residents deliveries were being suspended because the lane was too slippery and uneven.

One angry resident, 53-year-old Sally Bellamy, described Royal Mail's action as "absolute madness".

Post is now delivered to Miss Bellamy's home at the bottom of the 280-year-old lane and she then delivers the packages and letters through her neighbours' letterboxes.

When wet or icy it can become dangerous Royal Mail spokesman

She said everyone was angry with Royal Mail and wanted the deliveries reinstated.

"They say 'it's too dangerous to walk on, it's slippery, absolutely lethal', but I don't have a problem and nobody else seems to have a problem - I think it is stupid," she said

Miss Bellamy, who suffers from arthritis of the spine, said she managed to walk on the cobbles and courier parcels and groceries were still delivered to the street.

"It's cobbles for heaven's sake. It's the last cobbled street in Bideford and we are in a conservation area so we can't take it up," she said.

"The neighbours think the same as me - that it is absolute madness.

"I am angry and I think it is ridiculous."

A Royal Mail spokesman said some deliveries were still being made to Bilton Terrace.

"However, the road is in a poor state of repair and when wet or icy it can become dangerous," he said.

"There are occasions when we have not been able to make deliveries and alternative arrangements have been made.

"We are in contact with residents and continue to seek a solution with them."