'Letters are treated as worthless' reader on the real cost of failing services - your views, and a 1994 picture throwback

​Letters thought of as worthless

It's not just the users that are let down by poor public services, it's those that deliver these services.

Often paid the least, while failing bosses take bonuses for overseeing a chaotic organisation, the public-facing employees get the flack.

So it is with Royal Mail. It's obvious that priority is given to parcels, which are lucrative, whilst the targets for letters become meaningless. It's the same with most other public services: overseen by useless watchdogs, answerable to incompetent government departments with condescending 'assurances' that the the 'public deserve better'. For many, these failing public services remain vital to everyday life. To the Government, they are an annoyance they'd rather offload to an equally incompetent private sector company.

Mike Crump, Bridgnorth

Still waiting for important post

I agree entirely with the contents of Carol Southall’s recent letter concerning postal deliveries.

My bank released my monthly statement on December 21. 

I allowed for Christmas post problems but when it had not arrived a week into January, I phoned my bank and asked for a duplicate. 

I was told it would take three to five days. It was sent on January 8 and arrived 11 days later on the 19th along with 12 other items of correspondence, one of which required a response by the 22nd. 

Then my original statement arrived on 21st, 30 days after it was sent.

I have written to customer services, by post. 

Do you think I will get a reply this year, or ever?

Paul Brookes, Wordsley

Trump comment a real disgrace

How dare Donald Trump insult those that died and served in Afghanistan. What we must remember about this power crazed individual is that he has never seen any action. He did sign up for the reserves but gave up after one year. 

He was exempted from the army for service in Vietnam, apparently because of bone spurs in the heels but I think it was more like the army could not find a helmet big enough for his head or a uniform to fit his ego.

This comment just shows what type of person he is, he would be the first in the bunker if a bomb was dropped and he would, without a shadow of a doubt tread over women and children to get there first. 

He is a disgrace and the sooner his term is over the better for us all.

Pete Lowe, Brierley Hill

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