A campaign to save mail sorting offices in Tyldesley and Atherton

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Residents have launched a campaign to stop two Royal Mail bases from closing in the borough.

Following news of the private organisation’s discussions to relocate the sorting offices in Tyldesley and Atherton, to Wardley in Swinton, they have started a petition, which reached more than 800 signatures within 24 hours.


Matthew James, 31, of Atherton, who launched the crusade, said: “These collection and sorting offices are well used and are essential to our town, community and businesses. If they were to shut it would mean a 10-mile round trip to retrieve mail. These sorting offices are also vital collection points for our elderly and disabled who are able to use these offices due to them being local. People without transport will also be hit hard and it would be an extra cost if they wanted to pick up their mail.”


Royal Mail says the option is part of the company’s ongoing transformation to increase efficiency and to address the decline in letter volumes and the rise in the number of parcels being delivered.

But no final decision has been made as the organisation is still in the consultation stage.

A spokesman said: “Royal Mail explores these relocation options to help us provide better facilities for our customers.

“We discuss these plans with our people and trade unions and seek their feedback. We would also be looking to find a solution for collecting undelivered parcels locally. Detailed planning will take place to ensure a smooth transition for our operations, and the service we provide to our customers.

“If this move goes ahead, there will be no job losses. We also reimburse our staff for any extra mileage incurred by changes to their place of work.”


To sign the petition visit http://www.facebook.com/saveoursortingoffice/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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http://www.leighjournal.co.uk/resources/images/4868140.jpg?display=1&htype=0&type=mc3 WORRIED residents in Tyldesley and Atherton have launched a campaign to prevent the closure of two Royal Mail centres.

Royal Mail confirmed that it is looking into closing the delivery and sorting offices and moving them to Wardley in Swinton but stressed that there were also other options available.

The campaign against the relocation had more than 1,300 signatures online in the first three days, with concerned residents saying a 10-mile round trip to the next nearest office would not be possible for many people.

Matthew James, 31 of Atherton, who launched the online petition, said: "These collection and sorting offices are well used, well liked and are essential to our town, community and businesses.

"If these sorting offices were to shut it would mean a 10-mile round trip to retrieve mail for the community and businesses.

"These sorting offices are also vital collection points for our elderly and disabled residents and also for people without transport."

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "Royal Mail is exploring an option to relocate Tyldesley and Atherton delivery offices to its office in Manchester North West.

"This is part of Royal Mail’s ongoing transformation of its business and its work to increase the efficiency of its operations, and to address the structural decline in letter volumes and the rise in the number of parcels being ordered and delivered.

"Royal Mail explores these relocation options to help us provide better facilities for our people and our customers.

"In the first instance we discuss these plans with our people and trade unions and seek their feedback."

Reassurances have been made that a decision is not yet final and the company is committed to providing a first class service to the businesses and residential customers who are served by the two offices, and finding a solution to collecting undelivered parcels locally.

The spokesman added: "Detailed planning will take place to ensure a smooth transition for our operations, our people and the service we provide to our customers.

"We have a strong track record of managing change and we will work with our staff and our unions, to give them the opportunity to discuss the implications in detail.

"If this move goes ahead, there will be no job losses.

"We also reimburse our staff for any extra mileage incurred by changes to their place of work."

Nazia Rehman, Tyldesley Labour Party's prospective candidate in May's election, said: "The news of closure plans for Tyldesley's postal delivery office was unexpected and shocking.

"This raises many issues and we have spoken with Royal Mail, who have assured us that a free pick-up point for undelivered mail will be provided in Tyldesley and that the 27 staff will not be made redundant.

"However we feel the inevitable loss of local knowledge will result in a poorer service and ultimately Tyldesley will lose jobs.

"Accordingly we have requested a face-to-face meeting with senior management to press the case for retaining the Tyldesley facility and Royal Mail have agreed to meet with us.

"We know that Tyldesley residents will want to have their say, so we have placed copies of a written petition we have started in seven venues across Tyldesley and we urge people to sign it."

For more information about the online petition, or to add your signature, click here or visit the Facebook campaign page at https://facebook.com/saveoursortingoffice/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.