Council to target posties in retaliation for office closures

[POSTMAN]

Southend Council to target posties in retaliation for office closures

http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/news/ ... _closures/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

FURIOUS councillors want to ban posties from chaining their trolleys to fences and slap parking tickets on their vans in retaliation for the closure of five delivery offices.

The outlandish proposals have been put forward by members of Southend Council’s Independent group after Royal Mail announced it would shut bases in Rochford, Leigh, Shoebury, Canewdon and Great Wakering.

The move has been met with outrage by residents, who face a lengthy trek to the company’s main depot in Short Street, Southend, when the controversial closures go ahead next year.


But two councillors have now advocated taking retaliatory action by refusing to allow Royal Mail to tie mail trolleys to public fences or lamp posts, and cancelling the blind eye currently shown to vans parked on yellow lines.

In a letter to Rob Tinlin, the council’s chief executive, Independent councillor Mike Assenheim reiterated previous suggestions made by fellow Independent Steve Aylen.

He said: “The administration should stand fast with the public and inform Royal Mail that they are not prepared to cooperate in future in respect of Royal Mail’s activities within the borough.

“This move might go some way to redress what they are doing to the community and help to change their minds about closures.


“It might sound harsh, but I feel it is the only way to stop Royal Mail riding roughshod over the community.”

Royal Mail wants to close the delivery offices, which allow residents pick up parcels which could not be delivered because they were out, to cut costs.

It says all staff will be relocated and residents will still be given a number of options about how they want their packages delivered.

Residents in Great Wakering and Canewdon will still be able to collect their parcels from the villages’ post offices.

However, the company refused to launch a public consultation and infuriated Southend Council chiefs by agreeing to a meeting and then revealing it had already made up its mind about the closures.

Earlier this month, James Duddridge, the Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East, branded the way Royal Mail had handled the situation “appalling”.

A spokesman for Royal Mail refused to comment on Mr Assenheim’s suggestions, but said “modernising” the company was essential.

He added: “These relocations are a commercial business decision.

“Royal Mail does issue information to stakeholders and all customers before any changes to our mail operation take place.

“We met with Southend Council earlier this month to keep them informed of our plans and we have written to other stakeholders in this area. We will be writing to customers and stakeholders four to six weeks prior to any changes happening.”

[avenger]

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[RedlorryMan]

In theory a good idea. But any parking tickets are the Posties responsibility not Royal Mails. So it would not affect Royal Mail.

[crazyshrew]

In theory a good idea. But any parking tickets are the Posties responsibility not Royal Mails. So it would not affect Royal Mail.

True, but if the councillors proposals go ahead, the posties may start parking in more legal (although less convieniant) places, which could well mean quite a trek to the delivery point/collection.
a few minutes here and there all adds up

[DGP1]

Does the USO not allow for us to park on double yellow lines when delivering or collecting?

[Mr Rush]

Does the USO not allow for us to park on double yellow lines when delivering or collecting?

No, if I recall, not since the market was liberalised.

[Pinky 1]

Does the USO not allow for us to park on double yellow lines when delivering or collecting?

No, if I recall, not since the market was liberalised.

Eh ? We still park on double yellow lines, and as the van's are crowned vehicles we haven't had any problems. I thought that we'd only get booked if we'd parked in a dangerous way for pedestrians, or other road users

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=39011" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[fmrPOSTIE]

If on USO business then you can park on double yellow. The problem is Royal Mail is stuck between the public and private sector unfortunately RM can say they are doing this for "commercial reasons" without being obliged to consult anyone. At least with privatisation they would be answerable to shareholders they aren't responsible to anyone under the current ownership. The govt (could) but never will step in and veto anything rm does!

[RedBagMan]

What a great idea - let's screw over those at the bottom for decisions made by those at the top ... wonder who'll suffer most ...

[TeeferTiger]

What's that in english, Teebs? Can hardly read it and I've not got the brain power for posh talk this evening

[Pinky 1]

What's that in english, Teebs? Can hardly read it and I've not got the brain power for posh talk this evening

Oh cariad, stop playing around
Right click on the image, open in a new tab, click on tools and zoom in to 150% ........ there you go

[TeeferTiger]

What's that in english, Teebs? Can hardly read it and I've not got the brain power for posh talk this evening

Oh cariad, stop playing around
Right click on the image, open in a new tab, click on tools and zoom in to 150% ........ there you go

I tried that, went all blurry I'm not as green as I am cabbage looking ya know!

[Pinky 1]

Here you go Tigeress, to save your failing eyesight


As issued by Royal Mail

PARKING GUIDANCE WHILST UNDERTAKING DELIVERIES/COLLECTIONS

The Postal Services Act 2000 allows Royal Mail, as the Universal Service provider certain parking restriction freedom:
The Postal Services Act 2000:
"Traffic orders detailing general prohibitions of stopping do not apply in respect of a vehicle which bears the livery of a Universal Service Provider, which is waiting at the edge of a carriageway, for as long as may be necessary for the purpose of the provision of a Universal Postal Service (as defined in the Postal Services Act 2000)"

What does this mean to you?
You may stop on a Single Yellow line in order to perform your Delivery, Collection or Distribution of mail.
But, pay particular attention to any loading or unloading restriction’s which may apply and will be indicated by a yellow line on the edge of the kerb and a plate which will advise you of the times when this restriction applies, if you are asked to move then you must do so, never argue the point.

You may stop on a Double Yellow Line in order to perform your duty.
But, again there may be horizontal double yellow lines on the edge of the kerb and a nearby plate indicating the restriction times, which you must observe, if you are asked to move then you must do so, never argue the point.

You may stop on a Red Route in order to carry out your "Universal postal service" (Deliver, Collect or Distribution).
But, if you are asked to move then you must do so, never argue the point.

You may stop in a Bus Lane to perform your duty.
But, do not drive along the bus lane as this is an offence or stop at a bus stop, pull in at the spot you intend to park and exit from that very same spot, do not under take in a bus lane to get to the place you are aiming for and avoid that bus stop, if you are asked to move then you must do so, never argue the point.

If a Fixed Penalty or Penalty charge notice is received, it would be challenged on the grounds that as a universal postal services provider we are allowed to perform our work and Deliver or collect from our customers, any rejected appeals would likely go to court, but, you must be particularly careful not to deliberately or absent mindlessly perform any of the following:
1. Park with one or more wheels on the pavement or any part of the footpath.
2. Stop on "Zig Zag" Lines.
3. Park or stop at a Bus Stop or Taxi rank.
4. Park or stop in a Disabled bay or Residence bay or Diplomats bay.
5. Drive or park in a Pedestrian or Restricted area such as a permit zone
6. Park or stop where loading or unloading restrictions are in force
7. Enter a box junction if your exit is blocked.
8. Block ramps or drop kerbs

You may be fined and have penalty points awarded against your licence if:
1. You exceed the speed limit
2. Ignore traffic signals such as red lights
3. Fail to wear your seat belt
4. Use your mobile phone whilst driving

[hans solo]

they could also insist on rm to take down all street furniture ie the horrid boxes everywhere or insist on rm paying rent for the land