FAMILIES from three homes in Benfleet are celebrating after Royal Mail finally reinstated its deliveries after a six-month row.

Deliveries to 13 unmade roads in Benfleet stopped last November over claims the streets were too dangerous for door-to-door deliveries because they are unpaved.

Service was resumed for more than 120 residents in December after public pressure forced Royal Mail to order a second health and safety investigation, which then found no issue with delivering to the majority of properties.

However, six remaining properties in Fane Road and Catherine Road continued to have their mail deliveries suspended, despite claims from residents the roads were well maintained.

Now, after a campaign from Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris, who even took to hand delivering letters herself to residents, deliveries have been restored to three of the homes.

Jacqui Thornton, who lives in Catherine Road, Benfleet, said: “I am very pleased to have my mail delivered again. It was such an inconvenience, particularly as it was during all the snow and winter months.

“One of my neighbours is 90 and was having to trek all the way to the sorting office, which was not a good situation at all. We still have not had all of our mail delivered; a lot of it has gone astray which we will probably never get back.”

The first health and safety assessment by Royal Mail found there were risks to drivers and potential for damage to delivery vans.

For this reason, deliveries remain suspended for three homes in Fane Road because of the condition of the street.

However, Mrs Harris vowed to continue fighting to resolve the situation for the remaining few properties.

Mrs Harris said: “I am very glad that Royal Mail have restored deliveries to the properties along Catherine Road and I will continue to work with them to ensure that similar arrangements are made for those last few properties.”

Royal Mail apologised to customers for the inconvenience, but said the safety of their staff was paramount.

Nicola Scrivings, Royal Mail’s regional operations director, said: “We have been working closely with local residents to improve access to these properties. Improvements have now been made, so we are pleased to be able to reinstate deliveries to these addresses.

“We take the safety and welfare of our postmen and women extremely seriously.

“Deliveries remain suspended to three properties due to the poor conditions of the roads.

“We are continuing to work with these residents and hope we can resolve this issue as soon as possible.”