Petition to save Kent sorting offices

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Petition to save sorting offices

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/where/whits ... ticle.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BUSINESSMAN David Shepherd has launched a petition to save Royal Mail sorting offices in Herne Bay and Whitstable from closure.

Last week a similar petition was launched in Whitstable.

Mr Shepherd, who runs the Tasty Sounds public address rental company in the Bay, said: "We are getting post up to seven days old which is causing immense difficulties because new systems were introduced just weeks before their busiest period.

"If things are bad now, what are they going to be like if the proposed closures of the local sorting offices go ahead?"


He says no one has refused to sign his petition.

"It just goes to show the strength of feeling," he said. "We must preserve our local mail service.

"I wrote to the management of the Herne Bay sorting office over six weeks ago to ask what their plans were but to date have not received a reply."

Meanwhile, Bay MP Roger Gale has entered the row after visiting the sorting offices on Friday to discuss the late arrival of post.

He said: "Initially the explanation was snow but I know the local postmen and women very well and they make a great effort to get the mail out, whatever the weather.

"It seems a computerised reorganisation of the postman's "walk" lies at the heart of the problem. It is being piloted in Herne Bay and does not bode well for the county-wide reorganisation that is planned for sorting and delivery offices.

"The removal of the postman's bicycles and their replacement with "buddy vans" does not appear to have helped either.

"I am not convinced the run-in to Christmas is the best time to make changes."

A Royal Mail spokesman said last week: "We apologise to customers who may have experienced delays as the new systems bed in and the impact of the most severe weather in 30 years."

To sign David's petition text or call 07740 163795 or e-mail davidshepherd72@aol.com.