Sidmouth delivery office fear at postie bike axe threat

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SIDMOUTH'S fleet of post office bicycles are to be axed by Royal Mail - raising concerns that the town's delivery office could be shut.

Posties in Sidmouth were told a couple of weeks ago without any consultation that bikes would be replaced by vans and trolleys.

One post man, who does not want to be named, said: "I can't see how it would be preferable to take away bicycles which keep the men that ride them healthy and fit for the job without damaging the environment."

Although he confirmed post men and women in Sidmouth have been told the bikes are being scrapped, a spokesperson for Royal Mail insisted it has "no plans" to phase them out completely.

Sidmouth Sidford county councillor Stuart Hughes, who has been approached by several concerned posties, received the backing of Devon County Council's cabinet this week, which has requested Royal Mail reconsider its country-wide plans.

Mr Hughes said: "I understand the reason for scrapping the bicycles that is being given by Royal Mail's chief executive Adam Crozier is that they pose the wider safety risk associated with busy street networks, where the rider is exposed to greater risk than other vehicle users."

He branded this as "poppy cock" after reading Royal Mail's website which states bicycle accidents come in fifth place behind things such as slips, trips and falls, and animal attacks.

Mr Hughes added: "Devon is one of the safest, if not the safest county for cycling and we are encouraging more people to take up this healthy environmentally friendly mode of transport, not just for relaxation, but also for getting to and from work.

"My fear is that this could be the thin edge of the wedge and could lead to the closure of some of our rural sorting offices."

The Royal Mail spokesperson said it has "no plans" to close Sidmouth's Vicarage Road delivery office and the post man told the Herald that had not been discussed.

He added: "That is one step too far, although it may well come."

Alison Marchant, manager of Sidmouth Post Office in High Street, said: "The use of bicycles is invaluable around this area.

"It will cause more congestion if there are just vans going to every area and parking problems."

She added it would be a "major concern" if the delivery office was closed as it would result in job losses in the town.

Roger Aplin, postmaster of Sidford Post Office, said: "I feel bicycles are the best way for delivering letters around the area.

"If the sorting office was centralised it would be less efficient.