Eight Royal Mail offices could close under shock new proposals

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Bosses say no decisions have been made yet, and they would relocate staff to existing sites nearby so no jobs would be lost

Shock plans to close EIGHT postal delivery offices across Greater Manchester have been revealed by the Royal Mail.

The proposals affect depots in Irlam, Openshaw, Droylsden, Stretford, Atherton and Tyldesley, in Wigan, and Dobcross and Greenfield, near Oldham.

The Royal Mail say their services and staff would relocate to existing, nearby sites so there would be no job losses.

Bosses confirmed no firm decisions have been made and discussions with staff and unions would now be held.

A spokesman said the proposals would ‘increase the efficiency of our operation and address the decline in letter volumes and the rise in the number of parcels being ordered and delivered’.

Under the plans, Irlam delivery office would move to the Urmston depot on Higher Road and both Tyldesley and Atherton to the depot at Wardley Industrial Estate in Swinton, Salford.

Similar plans are being explored for the Openshaw delivery office to move to the Manchester Central depot, the depots at Droylsden and Stretford to the Manchester south east depot on Stockport Road and both depots at Dobcross and Greenfield to the Oldham delivery office.

Furious campaigners and an MP have hit out at the plans and vowed to lobby senior Royal Mail managers.

Congestion

They argue that changes to the Irlam and Wigan depots would mean the public and businesses having to travel up to 10 miles further in both cases to collect mail and add to traffic congestion. The Royal Mail however said alternative ‘local collection points’ for undelivered mail would be created should the plans go ahead.

But on-line petitions opposing the plans have already been launched.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “In the first instance, we will discuss these plans in detail with our people and trade unions and seek their feedback. No final decision has been made and we are committed to continuing to provide a first class service to our business and residential customers served by these offices.

“Should any proposal be adopted formally, detailed planning will take place to ensure an efficient transition for our operations, our people and the service we provide to our customers. “This would include establishing alternative local collection points for undelivered mail items. There will be no job losses.”

Barbara Keeley, MP for Worsley and Eccles South, said: “This would make for a difficult commute to work for staff and may be an impossible journey for some Royal Mail customers. Urmston is only accessible for rail passengers - there are no direct bus services between Irlam and Urmston and car drivers would encounter the traffic congestion that plagues the M60 near the Trafford Centre.

“I don’t believe it is fair for Royal Mail to inflict this difficult journey onto staff and customers.”

Ms Keeley added that switching the Tyldesley and Atherton offices to Wardley would also add to congestion on the already traffic-snarled East Lancashire Road.

Her views have been backed by campaigners.

Writing on Facebook on the Irlam plans, Jackie Marsh said: “Our postmen are brilliant. Helpful and friendly. We really need this local delivery office. Extremely difficult getting to Urmston without transport and expensive.”

A petition to save the Atherton and Tyldesley offices on the website change.org has attracted 1,134 signatures.

A spokesman said they are ‘vital collection points’ for elderly and disabled people and added: “These collection and sorting offices are well used, well liked and are essential to our town, community and businesses.”

[RedBagMan]

"No decisions have been made" ??? Done deal - could happen within a couple of weeks (in the office that affects me anyway) - I stand to lose rather a lot of money on this (as in early morning prep + increased travel costs).

Time for a long hard think ...

[Deadly]

I'm afraid this could be the future for larger towns and cities. Why have numerous smaller offices when they could be housed under one roof? The inconvenience for workers and customers is very low down on the list of priorities for RM.

[GT750rider]

I'm afraid this could be the future for larger towns and cities. Why have numerous smaller offices when they could be housed under one roof? The inconvenience for workers and customers is very low down on the list of priorities for RM.

Is this perhaps due to Royal Mail wanting to use 17.5 tonners, which by their nature need more space to manoeuvre ?

[k979aaa]

I'm afraid this could be the future for larger towns and cities. Why have numerous smaller offices when they could be housed under one roof? The inconvenience for workers and customers is very low down on the list of priorities for RM.

Is this perhaps due to Royal Mail wanting to use 17.5 tonners, which by their nature need more space to manoeuvre ?

Nothing to do with that more like "More ant's in one nest can be deployed than in two or three nests" and the land can be sold!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I'm afraid this could be the future for larger towns and cities. Why have numerous smaller offices when they could be housed under one roof? The inconvenience for workers and customers is very low down on the list of priorities for RM.

Is this perhaps due to Royal Mail wanting to use 17.5 tonners, which by their nature need more space to manoeuvre?

I think this is RMs chicken and egg scenario - do they want fewer road trips so they are amalgamating offices. Or do they want bigger offices so need larger wagons?

[dvbuk55]

I don't see why it would be a surprise, it's been on the cards for years but RM are now so much in the driving seat there isn't going to be any great disagreement to prevent it.

[Lounge Lizard]

I don't see why it would be a surprise, it's been on the cards for years but RM are now so much in the driving seat there isn't going to be any great disagreement to prevent it.

Yes, on the cards for years but town Delivery Offices are closing while we've still got many a village SPDO.

[dvbuk55]

I don't see why it would be a surprise, it's been on the cards for years but RM are now so much in the driving seat there isn't going to be any great disagreement to prevent it.

Yes, on the cards for years but town Delivery Offices are closing while we've still got many a village SPDO.

There's always going to be small offices here and there but in time they too will be swallowed up. Bearing in mind privatisation is relatively new and RM are dealing with priorities in whatever order they think fit. I mean are there going to be any delivery offices in 5 years time?