ROYAL Mail has been labelled ‘snail mail’ by a frustrated county councillor.

Derek Kennedy, Northumberland County Council’s Independent ward representative for Hexham West, has lambasted the national company for its delay in replacing three post boxes stolen from the town last September.

Two of the post boxes have since been replaced, but Coun. Kennedy has been told that the final one was not likely to be installed for another five months.

The replaced boxes were recently reintroduced at Maiden’s Croft and Beech Hill, but the stolen item at Causey Hill won’t be refitted until September or November.

Coun. Kennedy said: “I am so disappointed with Royal Mail. I’ve corresponded with the company since September 2018 requesting replacement post boxes, and I was repeatedly told they were on order. I must have written to the company more than 20 times.

“While it’s taken seven months to get the other boxes in place, it’s going to take more than 12 months to get the Causey Hill box in place. It’s no wonder Royal Mail has the nickname snail mail.

“I had to email the chief executive’s office to get a response as Royal Mail’s administrators and complaints department were ineffective.”

In an email sent to Coun. Kennedy, Lorna Hannam, Royal Mail’s chairwoman, said there had been some confusion over the request for a replacement at Causey Hill, and another request had to be made. She said the installation would be completed within 24 weeks.

“I am very sorry the replacement of this post box has been delayed,” she said. “A reliable service is a priority for Royal Mail and I am truly sorry this experience does not reflect that commitment.”