Locals in uproar over mail delivery halt

BOOZE, England, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Residents of a remote British hamlet say they are outraged over the Royal Mail's decision to stop delivering their mail because the trip there is unsafe.

The Royal Mail's health and safety officials said the road leading to 11 homes in the hamlet of Booze, in England's Arkengarthdale valley, is "an accident waiting to happen," The Daily Telegraph reported Friday.

"A health and safety risk assessment has confirmed that the level of risk associated with this delivery is unacceptable due to an unsuitable track," delivery office manager Colin Appleby said in a notice to residents.

Residents say they are upset with the Royal Mail's move because now they have to drive 30 miles to pick up their mail at a sorting office.

Some locals say the road is perfectly safe and mail carriers are blowing the situation out of proportion.

"The whole hamlet is in uproar about it," resident Hazel Harker said. "You just have to drive carefully."