Royal Mail quizzed on delivery office - Ellesmere

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.shropshirestar.com/2009/04/0 ... ry-office/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Civic leaders in Ellesmere are demanding answers from Royal Mail bosses over the future of the town’s delivery office.

Town councillors are calling for bosses at the company to “make up their minds” after north Shropshire MP Owen Paterson and town clerk Peter Holloway received contrasting letters from the firm.

The call comes as more than 600 people have signed a petition against rumoured plans to close the facility.

* And dozens more joined the fight online with an online petition at shropshirestar.com. To sign it, click on this link

A move to close the delivery office would mean Ellesmere residents having to travel nine miles to Oswestry to pick up mail.

Mr Paterson’s letter from Royal Mail said there were “no firm plans” to close the office, while a letter sent to Ellesmere Town Council said bosses were reviewing operations and would meet with the council once a decision was reached.

Mr Holloway said it was time for Royal Mail to make a decision and discuss plans with the public.

“There are over 650 signatures on the petition, although I fear we will never get them to say they won’t close it because it’s a business at the end of the day so they wont close the door for the future,” he said.

“They need to make up their mind about when they are going to put their head into the tiger’s mouth.

“What happens to people who live or work here all the time and do not have a car? It’s in the middle of an industrial estate so they can’t even rely on public transport, and it’s not ideal, especially when the Prime Minister is advocating local services for local communities.”

Jaquie Stenson, Royal Mail spokeswoman, said: “We have consistently said to interested parties that whilst we have no confirmed plans for Ellesmere delivery office, Royal Mail constantly reviews the operational efficiency and commercial practicality of all its units.

“If a decision is taken to make changes to our operation in the area we will communicate the detail as appropriate.”

Councillors will discuss the issue at a meeting on Monday at Ellesmere Town Hall from 7.20pm.

By Abigail Bates

Should Ellesmere keep its Royal Mail delivery office?

* Yes (93%)
* No (7%)

[dvbuk55]

I keep saying that smaller offices will go, and really it is no concern of joe public where RM site the delivery offices. They are based on historic boundaries that bear no relation to economics.

Take Tesco for example, people may be in a hue and cry about NOT wanting one on their doorstep, but Tesco look at the catchment area and probable viability of a store - not how far it is for a prospective customer to get their value items. Personally I might want to shop at ASDA but they aren't going to build one close to me for my convenience. There are a number of options for people to collect or have redelivered items so the distance involved is neither here nor there. Many rural areas must have faced the same problem over the years and coped with it.

[johnsouthwales]

some of joe public are concerned tho. whatever reason, it's a concern to them whether or not and when they get their post. any social change in a community will cause an anxiety, even if it's a selfish one. it's a part of their socila network..probably some of joe public won't give ahoot about someone losing their work due to a closure. other concerns usually come from the business/councillors side because it's a loss of revenue in the community concern to them.. people don't like closures, even if joe public don't realise the behind the scenes in RM.. and as i said in other posts, i doubt if the councillors know too.

if someone doesn't drive, how can that person get to another office if there's no transport, no suitable public transport, whether it means travelling 10 miles or 50 miles, the principle is the same. maybe they be lucky if they can pool in for car sharing. the main concern is NO JOB LOSSES!

[dvbuk55]

You have to go where the work is - I've travelled on public transport in the past to get to and from work - it does add a considerable amount of time to the day, but work is work.

[johnsouthwales]

that's wht i said.. if there's no transport of suitable transport and times.. they cant get there.

its ok for a crewe posty to spend at least 30 quid week to get to warrington on part time wages?

[dvbuk55]

that's wht i said.. if there's no transport of suitable transport and times.. they cant get there.

its ok for a crewe posty to spend at least 30 quid week to get to warrington on part time wages?

What's your solution? Leave things as they are? There are methods of moving people to and from workplaces by negotiation - like a bus - pick up at the old office and take to the new. Many businesses relocate and move their staff - if they want the move bad enough they'll pay.

[johnsouthwales]

thats what royal mail say. they said to crewe that they can help. but when it comes down to it, royal mail's offer of transportation is useless in the crewe/warrington circumstance.

[dvbuk55]

thats what royal mail say. they said to crewe that they can help. but when it comes down to it, royal mail's offer of transportation is useless in the crewe/warrington circumstance.

What's the offer? In some instances instead of paying a weekly amount firms have offered a lump sum payment in advance - I think it is 3 years, obviously if you leave within that time-scale there is a pay back and the lump sum is on a sliding scale on distance travelled. There are many ways to negotiate change, you become amenable - they have to follow suit or you don't change and can hardly be blamed if the company doesn't fulfill expectations.

[BELIAL]

Probably should take VR then and sign on ,it would seem to be the rational choice

[johnsouthwales]

i don't find it acceptable that people will have to travel X amount of miles to pick up a packet or a parcel. its not just about jobs, its about a service for all

[dvbuk55]

i don't find it acceptable that people will have to travel X amount of miles to pick up a packet or a parcel. its not just about jobs, its about a service for all

That's a lame excuse, they don't have to travel - there are other options and they won't be the only place who have to travel if they HAVE to pick something up - some rural areas are indeed many miles from a delivery office already and have always been.

[johnsouthwales]

if it's a lame excuse, you go and tell all the people who are having their mail offices closed, or having to lose their jobs not to protest or complain or say owt.

and if that's the case, nobody should put up any posts regarding any closures at all.

i know that a parcel can be redirected and picked up from a post office for a nominal fee of one british pound (providing that post office exists and has not closed down). other arrangements can be made.

so when 2011 comes around, the next phase of post office closures will come? as at present, uk government has agreed to subsidise 'rural' post offices until 2011.

the annual £150m subsidy to help rural branches stay open will be extended beyond 2008 until 2011. under Article 88 of the Treaty of Amsterdam, a national government needs permission from the European Commission to grant state aid, and under Directive 2002/39/EC, this permission must be granted before the aid can be given.

[dvbuk55]

if it's a lame excuse, you go and tell all the people who are having their mail offices closed, or having to lose their jobs not to protest or complain or say owt.

and if that's the case, nobody should put up any posts regarding any closures at all.

i know that a parcel can be redirected and picked up from a post office for a nominal fee of one british pound (providing that post office exists and has not closed down). other arrangements can be made.

so when 2011 comes around, the next phase of post office closures will come? as at present, uk government has agreed to subsidise 'rural' post offices until 2011.

the annual £150m subsidy to help rural branches stay open will be extended beyond 2008 until 2011. under Article 88 of the Treaty of Amsterdam, a national government needs permission from the European Commission to grant state aid, and under Directive 2002/39/EC, this permission must be granted before the aid can be given.

It isn't £1 it's 50p and you can have it left in a nominated safe place on delivery or redelivery.

[johnsouthwales]

the parcelforce thing is £1.. thats what i was thinking of.. if i remember right from another post, it cost £9.30 a day crewe to warrington bank...

gawd knows how oxford staff get to swindon by train or cost. they have to change in reading. prob cost around 15 a day