ROYAL Mail has revealed why there has been such long delays in Oxford post. 

Residents have reported waiting weeks for important letters, bills and birthday cards. 

Now Royal Mail bosses have blamed new post routes and staff sickness for the problems. 

A spokeperson said: “We apologise to customers for any delays they may have experienced in some parts of Oxford. The vast majority of mail and parcels are delivered safely and on time. 

“In recent weeks, we have implemented revisions to our postmen and women’s routes in Oxford to ensure they reflect changes in the local area, such as new residential developments, and are fairer and more balanced to reflect the growth in parcel deliveries. 

READ MORE: The areas in Oxfordshire which have reported postal issues

READ MORE: Oxford post delays: Layla Moran calls service ‘unacceptable’

“Unfortunately, these changes also coincided with a higher than normal rate of sickness absence which placed additional pressure on the operation. We are working hard to resolve the situation and normal service is now beginning to resume.”

Royal Mail’s apology comes as Oxford MP Layla Moran has hit out at the postal service, calling the delays “unacceptable”. 

On Wednesday night the Liberal Democrat MP wrote: “I’m aware of the issues some of my constituents in OX2 are having with postal delays.

“I have already reached out to Royal Mail, but it still hasn’t been resolved. I will write to the Minister responsible. This level of service is unacceptable.”

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