York MP Hugh Bayley says RM must consult over sorting plans

[TrueBlueTerrier]

York MP Hugh Bayley says Royal Mail must consult over sorting plans

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YORK Central MP Hugh Bayley has called on the Government to act over the future of York’s postal sorting office.

The Press revealed last month that Royal Mail was planning to move all sorting from York to Leeds with the potential loss of 168 York jobs.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Bayley criticised Royal Mail for not consulting the public over its plans and called on the Government to ensure that it does consult in future.

He said: “Two years ago, when Royal Mail shifted the sorting of second-class mail from York to Leeds, it gave me a firm undertaking that it would consult the public if ever it considered shifting the sorting first-class mail as well, and closing the York sorting office.

“This is what the company now proposes, but it has not consulted.”

He also called on the Government to ensure Royal Mail consults with the businesses that could be affected by the proposed closure, as well as the public.

Fellow North Yorkshire MP Julian Smith, of Skipton and Ripon, urged the Government to ensure companies and communities in remote area, such as the Yorkshire Dales, were consulted as well, as they “rely hugely on the Royal Mail to survive and conduct their business”.

Postal services minister Ed Davey said the Royal Mail was not obliged to consult with the public on restructuring its mail centres, though it had committed to keeping “all interested external stakeholders informed”.

He said he was “sure” Royal Mail would contact Mr Bayley and said the previous rationalisation of mail sorting centres had led to efficiency improvements and reduced costs and an improvement in customer service.

A Royal Mail spokesman said the sorting office proposal was part of a £2 billion national modernisation programme to cope with falling numbers of letters.

He said: “Internal consultation with the unions is continuing and, while we are not obliged to consult publicly on operational changes essential to secure the universal postal service, we will continue to keep our stakeholders updated as our plans develop.”

[DirtyHarry]

Consult?

Block it, stop it dead in it's tracks, and let Royal Mail stick it's consultation where the sun don't shine.

[Lounge Lizard]

"Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Bayley criticised Royal Mail for not consulting the public over its plans and called on the Government to ensure that it does consult in future." If a government owned Royal Mail doesn't see fit to consult the public on such matters he surely can't expect a future privately owned one to do so.

[bag69]

Improved customer service? Dont the people who spout this crap use Royal Fail?