Apology over postal delays

Fife villagers have been without post office services for more than a month after a van broke down. The mobile post office usually visits Limekilns and Charlestown for several hours every week.

But it’s been more than four weeks since the west Fife communities were able to access it.

The Post Office has apologised and said the breakdown was beyond its control.

But Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville said people were becoming frustrated by repeated no-shows.

And she has branded the level of service “unacceptable”.

Constituents have contacted the SNP MSP to complain about the frequent problems.

She said mechanical failures and staff holidays were at the root of the issue.

“This is simply an unacceptable level of service and the residents of Limekilns and Charlestown deserve far better,” she said.

“People want a reliable postal service and that really shouldn’t be too much to ask for.

“I have made clear to the Post Office that urgent improvements are required and I have asked for a full explanation on why they have not been delivering their service recently.”

She added: “That service needs to resume as a matter or priority for the people in these communities who rely on it.”

The mobile service normally visits Limekilns every Tuesday and Thursday. Charlestown residents can access services on a Tuesday.

The Post Office said vehicle repairs were taking longer than expected.

A spokesperson said: “We sincerely apologise that the mobile post office in the Fife area has not been able to operate for the past few weeks.

“The mobile post office is currently in a garage for repairs, which is taking longer than expected.

“This is beyond our control.”

They added: “We know how important post offices are to a community and we hope that the important rural service, provided by the postmaster for Cowdenbeath, will soon be operational again.”

Further mobile services will be introduced in north-east Fife from next month following news retailer Spar is closing a number of its Post Office counters.

BREAKDOWN: Mobile post office services to some Fife villages have been disrupted.