Royal Mail Outrage (DO Closures in Essex)

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.theenquirer.co.uk/read.aspx?id=10312" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ROYAL MAIL has been slammed over its decision to close five delivery offices across the county.


As part of plans to centralise its delivery offices Royal Mail confirmed on Tuesday its Shoeburyness delivery office will relocate to its mail processing unit in Southend-on-Sea on 3 June.


It was also announced the Leigh-on-Sea delivery office will move to Southend on 1 July, while Rochford delivery office, including deliveries for Canewdon, will follow on 29 July. Operations and Great Wakering were moved earlier this year.


Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and Rochford District Council said they were appalled by the decision.


Cllr Nigel Holdcroft, Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: "Royal Mail's behaviour over the future of these five delivery offices has been truly lamentable. Back in October, Royal Mail announced that it intended closing the delivery offices and consolidating all those functions at its Short Street base in Southend. We immediately raised serious concerns about traffic and logistical implications at the site, as well as the effect it would have on the five communities concerned.


"However, the all-party meeting we had with Royal Mail in December was a total fiasco: they sent two junior representatives who stated they were going ahead with the closure announcement the next day and had no obligation to consult with anyone."


Rochford District Council's Portfolio Holder for Young Persons, Adult Services, Community Care and Well-Being, Health and Community Safety, Councillor Mrs Jo McPherson, added: "We're disappointed that, having made strong representations to Royal Mail, they have chosen to disregard both us and our residents and withdraw such a vital resource.”


Customer collection arrangements are in place for many undelivered items at Great Wakering and Canewdon Post Offices and people can use a free redelivery service.


MP for Rochford and Southend East James Duddridge, met with Moya Greene, Chief Executive of Royal Mail in Parliament in February to discuss possible solutions for undelivered items to be collected locally.


Mr Duddridge said: "I am very disappointed that Royal Mail has decided not to offer a local collection facility for Rochford and Shoeburyness. I understand there are alternative re-delivery options available but I was urging Royal Mail to provide the traditional collection option. I will be making further representations to Royal Mail, asking them to reconsider and work with the local community to source a local solution."


Royal Mail's Regional Operations Director for the East, Rob Jenson, said: "The relocation of these offices is part of Royal Mail's ongoing modernisation programme. It is vital to put our business on a sound, secure and sustainable footing for the future."

[music4essex]

Kind Of going the way Whitstable has, these office are in my area

Royal Mail have no intention of listening to the Communities concerned but blame the posties when it all goes wrong.

When are these MP's going to learn ,they all for the privatisation but don't like the consequences.

Do these communities really think it is for modernisation

Essex mum