Royal Mail promise a post facility for Melksham

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People will still be able to collect undelivered post in the town when the Melksham Delivery Office closes next year.

Royal Mail announced plans to close the office in spring 2012 but has now said people will still be able to pick up items in the town centre.

Richard Hall, senior external relations manager at Royal Mail, said: “Detailed planning for the move will ensure a smooth transition for our customers and staff in Melksham.

“The planning will look to secure a facility in Melksham which will enable customers to continue to collect mail locally when we have not been able to deliver first time and have left a card.

“With the introduction of this service there will not be any detrimental effect on the level of service we offer customers.”

However there are now fears that Melksham Post Office could also face closure or relocation as the Royal Mail could seek to sell its Church Street building.

The town’s MP Duncan Hames said: “It is very important that a facility like this remains in Melksham town centre.

“It is, however, welcome news that residents will still be able to pick up their mail in the town because if they have a package to collect they will often do their shopping whilst they are there, hence bringing business to Melksham.”

Melksham town councillor Vic Oakman won the backing of fellow councillors at a meeting on Monday night in his bid to get Royal Mail to talk about their plans.

He said: “If they are going to keep some sort of facility in the town where are they going to put it? We need answers from Royal Mail and we need to meet them soon.”

There was also some reprieve for Royal Mail’s 40 Melksham workers. Mr Hall added: “There will not be any compulsory redundancies as a result of this move and Royal Mail will also reimburse its people for any extra mileage caused by the changes in their place of work.”

Royal Mail says it is moving the mail operation to Chippenham because of declining mail volumes and difficult trading conditions.