Weighing up plans for mail sorting office - Aberdeenshire

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Opponents of plans to relocate an Aberdeenshire mail sorting office will come face to face with postal bosses this week.

Representatives from the Royal Mail Group are to attend a meeting of Westhill Community Council on Thursday to discuss the future of the facility.

Residents were told in February this year that the lease on the Enterprise Drive sorting office expires in September.

The Royal Mail Group is weighing up plans to close the depot and relocate around 30 workers to an alternative facility.

A spokeswoman for the postal service has indicated that health and safety issues are also being taken into consideration. The existing sorting office is located within an industrial estate dominated by engineering and construction companies.

The current site has been deemed “unsuitable” for mail collection operations.

Local residents have expressed concern that the service may be relocated to the post office headquarters on the other side of Aberdeen, at Altens.

Iris Walker, spokeswoman for Westhill Community Council, said members are seeking clarification from the postal service on its future plans for the area.

She said: “There is a lot of concern in the community about loss of service and also the impact any move will have on the staff.

“If Royal Mail plans to close this important facility and move it to the city, there will be a big reaction from the community.”

Local councillor Amanda Allan has also appealed to the Royal Mail Group to consider maintaining a parcel pick-up point in the town if the sorting office has to close.

She said the closure of the Westhill depot would represent a “huge loss” to the community.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said that a “more suitable” site could be found for both staff and customers from a health and safety point of view.

She said: “We are looking at a range of options.”

Westhill Community Council meets at the Holiday Inn hotel, Westhill, on Thursday, at 7pm.