Mail deliveries in a quiet cul-de-sac have been halted – because SEAGULLS keep attacking postmen.
The birds’ divebombing assaults on posties have disrupted services in Regent Gardens, in the College Estate area of Hereford.
All 70 households have received a letter from Royal Mail informing them that postmen are finding delivering difficult because of the “swooping attacks.”
The letter said: “These kind of attacks can occur at this time of year as the gulls are nesting and rearing their chicks.
“Postmen are attempting to deliver to customers every day and we apologise if any customer has bene affected by this.
“The safety of our people is paramount to Royal Mail and these swooping attacks made it difficult for the postmen to carry out their deliveries.”
Despite the nearest beach to Hereford being more than 70 miles away, the birds flock to the rooftops each year while their eggs hatch.
Deliveries to the street are now being cancelled if postal staff feel under threat from the nesting gulls.
Residents have expressed alarm at the disruption, slamming Royal Mail for failing to tell customers where they can collect their undelivered mail from.
Mum-of-two Kerry Kent, 34, said: “I didn’t know the seagulls were attacking the postmen but I knew they are a menace and they do swoop at people.
“It’s since the chicks have been born. It seems to come every year but appears to be getting worse.
“The letter said to contact Royal Mail when we had received it. It seems ironic they gave a postal address to respond to. There was no telephone number to call.
“My husband and I are visually impaired and if we need to collect mail from the Royal Mail delivery office it would be a 45 minute round trip but we’re not even being told if we have mail waiting for us.
“We just want Royal Mail to give us an alternative. They cannot just give us a letter saying they are not going to deliver and not say what they are going to do about it.
“How do we know if it’s not delivered? There’s no way of knowing really.”
Another resident added: “I have been waiting for a new credit card to come through for more than a week but the postmen haven’t been delivering.
“Royal Mail say they are trying to deliver every day but I haven’t seen any postmen set foot on the street for more than a week.
“Posties are basically avoiding our street completely until the gulls leave or calm down.
“It’s bonkers. They’ll be wearing hard hats and need body guards next.”
Other residents are demanding the council acts to re-home the gulls which have also been targeting pets.
Resident Elaine Davies, 60, said: “The seagulls swooped down and attacked my dog in the back garden. They spat horrible stuff out of their mouths at the dog who just cowered and ran away.
“They are very aggressive and protective of their young and every year we have somebody who comes and checks for nests as they tend to come back.”
Resident John Williams added: “The council needs to do something to stop the gulls taking over our rooftops.
“There are lots of theories as to why they choose our street more than others, perhaps it’s more sheltered because it’s a cul-de-sac but surely something can be done to persuade these gulls to nest elsewhere.”
