http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/ ... 4555074.jp
Union leaders have welcomed news a £70m new mail centre for Northampton has moved a step closer to reality.
This week, the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation backed plans to build the new centre at the Swan Valley industrial estate on the outskirts of Northampton.
The move sparked lengthy debate at the Communication Workers Union (CWU) national conference, which was held at the Park Inn hotel in Northampton this week.
The CWU's regional secretary for the Midlands, Lee Barron, said: "Without a shadow of a doubt, it's excellent news for Northampton."
The new depot is planned to replace the Barrack Road sorting office, which was destroyed by fire in 2003.
It will provide a permanent replacement to the temporary sorting office, which opened in Crow Lane, Great Billing after the blaze.
Mr Barron, said moving out of the temporary building was eagerly anticipated by post office workers, adding: "What the workforce in Northampton have had to put up with after the fire has been ridiculous.
"They've been in a building that's basically a warehouse, which is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter and is right next to a sewage works.
"So for them, the news about the new centre is excellent."
But he sounded a note of concern over plans to transfer workers from the Coventry sorting office to Northampton.
A spokesman for Royal Mail said talks were still ongoing with workers in Coventry.
He added: "We continue to consult with our people and unions as the project develops."