Plans scrapped to move Treorchy Sorting Office to Ferndale

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PLANS to move Treorchy’s sorting office to Ferndale have been shelved thanks to pressure from the community.


At a public meeting at Oak Tree Hall on August 1, Royal Mail delivery director Ian Edwards said relocating to the Rhondda Fach had been scrapped after heeding the “numerous objections” voiced at a meeting in July 2011.

The news had sparked fears that residents of upper Rhondda could face an awkward journey to pick up their parcels.

Plaid Cymru councillors said they would “vigorously oppose” any attempt to relocate Treorchy Sorting Office – a move which they believe would blight the fabric of the village.

The latest plan is to centralise all sorting operations at Clydach Vale.

Councillors Cennard Davies, Sera Evans-Fear and Emyr Webster released a joint statement last week to voice their concerns.

It said: “The continuing uncertainty regarding its future is causing concern to both Post Office staff and residents.

“We have recently lost a number of important public amenities, including Treherbert Swimming Pool and Treorchy Amenity Centre, and are about to lose the Treherbert branch of Barclays Bank.

“These closures have weakened the economy and social fabric of the area and we can ill afford the further loss of the sorting office.”

On behalf of the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU), Gary Watkins agreed that the option to centralise in Clydach Vale was preferable to Ferndale, but emphasised his members would prefer it to remain in Treorchy.

Mr Edwards announced that the “scoping exercise” carried out by Royal Mail is continuing in order to find the best location.

He said Royal Mail had looked at relocating to the Burberry site in Ynyswen, but found the cost of adapting the building was “prohibitive”.

He finished by assuring the public that any undelivered parcels could be picked up free of charge at their local post office and promised to give consideration to some of the suggestions made before a final decision is reached.