THE postal service in Waltham Forest is one of the worst performing in the UK.
The 'E' postcode, which covers the borough, was ranked in the top five of the country's poorest performing areas between April and June this year, figures released by Postwatch this week showed.
Only 82.7 per cent of first class mail arrived on time during that period, well below the target figure of 92.5 per cent.
Royal Mail insisted there had been improvements but householders and businesses have complained bitterly of poor service.
Bill Measure, of Richmond Road, Leytonstone, had £3,000 stolen from his account when his new chequebook disappeared in the post.
He was not surprised Waltham Forest polled so low in the league tables.
"It really is not good enough," he said. "We ought to have one of the best postal services in the world, but instead it is a third class service and a Third World standard.
"I think Royal Mail is poor. I have little faith in it. I would rather send a fax or make a phone call than send a letter."
Confidential medical reports addressed to a Leyton surgery turned up opened and ripped at a nearby newsagents in June.
And a Mother's Day card sent to Myra Barklem, of Whitehall Gardens, Chingford, never arrived. Her daughter had to send another one.
Mrs Barklem said: "You used to be able to send post and not worry if it would arrive or not.
"When I was dealing with my solicitors I took everything to them personally to make sure it arrived, but you cannot always do that."
Earlier this year Royal Mail scrapped its second daily delivery service.
The result was a daily financial penalty to Waltham Forest businesses if mail failed to arrive on time, said the local Asian Business Association and Chamber of Commerce.
Company secretary Ashraff Choudhary said: "Before, if the cheque did not arrive in the morning it could come in the afternoon.
"But if it is not being delivered until the second or third day there is a loss of income for that time and companies will have to pay more interest on overdrafts. It is not acceptable."
Royal Mail failed to hit any of its 15 national targets over the three-month period and now faces fines and compensation running into tens of millions of pounds for late deliveries.
Chief Executive Adam Crozier admitted the company's performance had been poor but insisted improvements were being made.
In the 'E' postcode area the standard first class delivery had risen 9.9 per cent in July to 92.6 per cent, he claimed.
"Clearly there were some problems in the spring but the service has improved, month on month, since May," he said.
"We still have some way to go but we are making progress. Delivering consistent, high quality service remains the Royal Mail's number one priority."
