Holbeach Posties call for public support

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/bus ... _1_2714308" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PETITIONS have been put out across the east of South Holland to fight the proposed closure of Holbeach Delivery Office – and campaigners have warned that problems seen in King’s Lynn could come here if the Royal Mail’s plans go through.

The office in Barrington Gate could shut next summer under modernisation plans, which has proved unpopular with staff who fear for their jobs and say the service for people in the east of the district could suffer.

On Tuesday we reported how Coun Francis Biggadike won the support of his colleagues at South Holland District Council last week to back the campaign to keep the office.

This week one of the 30 employees at the office, who asked not to be named, told us petitions opposing the closure plans are now out at post offices in Fleet, Holbeach and Sutton St James, S&D Bookmakers in Holbeach and the delivery office itself.

A total of 16 full pages of signatures have already been returned.

The worker said: “Everybody has reacted really well to it and been very supportive of us – I don’t think anybody wants it to move.”

Royal Mail has said its plans are at the very early stages and would see the Spalding Delivery Office handle Holbeach’s mail.

The worker highlighted a story in our sister title, the Lynn News, which showed problems with the mail in villages just outside the town.

Lynn and West Norfolk has switched to a new computer aided delivery system that has drawn complaints from residents who say that first class post has taken up to two weeks to arrive.

The Holbeach worker warned: “That sort of thing is what we could have in our area if we are not careful.”

Royal Mail insists it only has teething troubles with its new delivery system and says its nationwide modernisation programme is needed to safeguard its future