I RECEIVED a card from Royal Mail as they could not deliver a parcel while I was out.

Birch Park Delivery Office now appears to close at 2pm, or noon on Saturdays.

I rang Royal Mail's customer service. After listening repeatedly to their recording asking that I be patient as they were extremely busy in this build-up to Christmas, I asked if Birch Park's opening times were just temporary, or if they would be extended in the busy period. I was told no they would not, and that I could not expect staff who start early in the morning to work such long hours.

I don't. But I did suggest they do what the business demands and employ extra staff.

What chance have people with busy lives got to get the parcels that Royal Mail have been paid to deliver? Not only is it now a six-mile round trip to collect an item, but they also expect us to take time off work to do it.

It makes a farce of internet shopping which otherwise saves so much hassle.

Royal Mail used to excel in distribution in times gone by, before all the advances in technology. But now they seem to have stepped back into the dark ages, reducing their opening hours instead of increasing them.

Julie Hawksby,

Windsor Drive,

Wigginton,

York.

Updated: 10:21 Wednesday, November 23, 2005