Postie's might lose their bikes

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.devon24.co.uk/exmouthjournal ... :08:02:087" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EXMOUTH could lose its fleet of bicycle-riding posties following Royal Mail proposals to replace some of them with gas-guzzling vans.

But county chiefs have expressed concern about replacing them with diesel vans and trolleys - partly because it is at odds with their carbon reduction scheme.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon's Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation got cross-party support when he expressed doubts over the plans.

County Hall has written to the Managing Director of Royal Mail, Mark Higson, urging him to reconsider.

A spokesman for the Royal Mail said: "While we recognise that bicycles are a sustainable and safe mode of travel for many people, we see their usefulness out on delivery as increasingly limited.

"Indeed, to meet the changing needs of our customers and the evolving mail market we need to adopt a different delivery approach for the future."

Cllr Hughes is now looking for reassurances that any shift in delivery methods will not lead to the closure of local sorting offices like Exmouth.

He also wants assurances that delivery operations will not be run from a smaller number of larger central offices such as Exeter.

Cllr Hughes, said: "I'm disappointed with the response that we have had so far from Royal Mail as it really failed to answer our concerns.

"I think a meeting would be useful to clear up this issue of the use of delivery bicycles.

"It would be a crying shame to think that we might not see our local posties on their bikes anymore.

"I appreciate that the Royal Mail is investing in transforming its collection and delivery, but as carbon reduction is part of that investment, the use of bicycles would seem to fit in perfectly with its future operations to reduce emissions."

One Exmouth postie who didn't wish to be named said: "It's nice to use bikes when the weather is good but when it's raining and it's 5am it can be miserable.

"It's good to get some exercise but you just can't carry the same amount of post on a bicycle."

[Lounge Lizard]

Once respected local papers now use language like "gas-guzzling vans" and then wonder why their sales are dropping.

[Big Daz]

5am, what on earth is he doing out on a RM bike delivering mail at 5am for?

[Lincox]

Still by far the best and least exhausting way of delivering mail. If they developed a different method for delivering packets the need for so many vans would not be necessary.

[maisymoo04]

i just buzzed of that aswell 5AM hahaha

[meercat]

For 'one local postie' read 'here's a quote we made up' - typical lazy and fabricated journalism. What postie is going to complain about cycling in the rain for 15mins when there is a 4hr outside delivery to do? Tarts.

[CTC]

CTC, the national cyclists' organisation, is running the Keep Posties Cycling campaign. To find out more, visit: http://www.ctc.org.uk/royalmail.

If you're interested in getting involved, you can email campaigns@ctc.org.uk for more information.