Mayor's concerns over Royal Mail plans

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THE Mayor of Usk said the town’s council is "gravely concerned" that the Royal Mail failed to consult staff or customers before deciding to close its Usk delivery office.

In a letter to Royal Mail’s senior Welsh affairs manager Heulyn Gwyn Davies, Cllr Alec Leathwood condemned the move.

Royal Mail announced earlier this month that it is to close its Usk delivery office and transfer operations to Pontypool in January 2011, to improve efficiency and move to a bigger office with better access.

Cllr Leathwood claims the move will increase the journeys of staff travelling to work by around 35,000 miles a year and increase post van mileage by 87,000 miles a year.

He added that with later deliveries and customers collecting undelivered mail, the move seriously questions Royal Mail’s claims of increased efficiency and its campaign to reduce its carbon footprint Cllr Leathwood added in the letter: "My council is gravely concerned that, according to information received, you appear to have failed to engage in any consultation with either your local staff or your customers."

The mayor said Usk Town Council were advised by staff that they are happy with their working environment and see no reason to change it.

He said the move would cause problems for those living in remote, rural locations and businesses that will have to collect PO Box mail from Pontypool.

"A number have closed and others struggle to keep their businesses viable. Your decision to move the delivery office to Pontypool will undoubtedly add to their costs at a time when they can least afford it," he added.

Cllr Leathwood called on the Royal Mail to delay the planned move until a more detailed consultation involving customers and staff can take place.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: "There will be no redundancies as a result of this move and, as the majority of the staff at Usk do not live in the town, there will be minimal impact on travel to work time.

"As agreed with the union and Royal Mail however, there will be compensation offered to staff for additional travel to work miles.

There will also be minimal impact on change of delivery times."