Thousands of people fight plans to close 5 Royal Mail DO's

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Offices in Leigh, Shoebury, Great Wakering, Rochford and Canewdon under threat

THOUSANDS of concerned residents have pledged their support to keep a busy delivery office open.

More than 2,500 people have signed a petition against cost-cutting plans to shut Leigh delivery office in London Road.

Leigh on Sea Town Council have also thrown their weight behind the bid to keep the building open.

Stephen Ryan, who works as a postman at the delivery office, is heading up the campaign.

Mr Ryan, 52, said locals feel very strongly about the plans and petitions were in 15 separate locations around the town.


He said: “The potential impact on delivery services will be worthy of consideration, particularly in severe weather conditions. Driving to Southend is a nightmare, the area around Short Street is particularly difficult area to drive around.

“When people go into Southend it might take business away from Leigh.”

Five branches, Leigh, Shoebury, Great Wakering, Canewdon and Rochford, are threatened with closure which means customers will face longer journeys into Southend’s Short Street office to pick up missed mail and packages.

Councillor Carole Mulroney echoed her support.

She said: “I wholeheartedly support what you are saying.


“We are a major town centre, we are not a little village, we have got a fairly elderly population which means they may not be able to get into Southend.
“I think we should go as strongly as we can to object to this.”

Campaigns have also been launched in the other towns affected by the proposals.

Royal Mail say no final decisions have been made and it would minimise disruption to customers and ensure a high level service