Postie bicycle ban opposed

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VILLAGERS are opposing plans to replace their posties on bikes with a delivery by van.

In a reflection of proposals in Cambridge where bicycle deliveries could be replaced by vans and trolleys, cycle deliveries in Moulton, near Newmarket, may also go.

But more than 500 people have signed pre-printed letters circulated by the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) opposing plans to close the village sorting office and switch their postwomen to the Newmarket Royal Mail delivery office.

Bill Rampling, chairman of the parish council, said: "Moulton isn't the sort of village to roll over and accept this. We shall fight this tooth and nail."

Bev Gazeley, 49, who has been doing the village post round for 13 years, said: "We have got a real bond with the people and we want to keep that." She is due to discuss the issue with the local Royal Mail manager on Wednesday .

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said the move was intended to improve efficiency and would not increase vehicle movement as the mail already had to be delivered to the village sorting office. But she said talks were continuing and no decisions had been reached.

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RESIDENTS in Moulton are furious over the proposed closure of the village sorting office.
Under new guidelines drawn up by Royal Mail, post would no longer be sorted at the Moulton sorting office.

Instead, it would be sorted in Newmarket before being delivered in the village by one postworker in a van.

The proposed changes would signal the end for the village's existing postwomen Bev Gazeley and Mel Todd, who currently sort out the mail into two rounds at Moulton before delivering it on foot.

So far, more than 500 people from the village have signed a petition to keep the current service, which has been in operation for more than 50 years.

Mike Dillon, postmaster of Moulton Post Office, said: "The villagers are outraged by this proposal. The nice thing about the current service is that it gives a personal touch.

"Everyone in the village knows the two women and it gives them a security blanket that they know their post will be delivered securely. I am dead set against it."

The two postwomen, who both live in the village, have been sorting and delivering post at the branch for a total of 18 years.

Jane Warriner, spokeswoman for Royal Mail, said: "We are still in talks with our people with regards to the planned changes at Moulton delivery office.

"However the facts remain that the challenges facing Royal Mail since the opening up of the postal market requires us to make significant changes to improve our efficiency and reduce our costs.

"All of our people in Moulton are being offered compensation for the relocation to Newmarket, as well as substantive jobs."