Sorting office to go in months but new Watford facility anno

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Watford’s postal sorting office will close in a matter on months, it has been confirmed.

Royal Mail, which is also closing its Kings Langley office, is moving all sorting services to a new mail centre in Hemel Hempstead as part of a cost-cutting action plan.

The company confirmed this week that its new facility will open in August, allowing staff and equipment from the sprawling Ascot Road site to begin the move. It will close completely by the end of the Autumn.

A new delivery and collection office serving both areas will then open in nearby Caxton Way.

Some 300 jobs will be lost around the county as a result of the changes, but union bosses, who led members in bitter strike action in late 2009, say they are now satisfied with the arrangements and have no plans to walk out again.

Chris Sharp, branch secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), said: “It is something that we’ve got to get on with. We’ve signed an agreement and this is all part of that agreement.

“The problems are in the past and we are just trying to get on with these changes as best we can.

“I would hope that nobody will notice any difference in our service but I suppose we won’t know until we start doing it [the new system]. But I don’t foresee any major problems and there’s no danger of strikes any time soon – we will be sticking to all the agreements that we’ve signed.”

Royal Mail regional operations director Mark Ellis said: “This represents a significant investment to modernise Royal Mail operations through new technology and working conditions for our people.

“Our service to customers will continue to be a top priority during these changes. We will do all we can to minimise disruption to customers and ensure we maintain the high level of service.”

The Ascot Road area, designated as industrial space by Watford Borough Council, is expected to receive a significant boost if and when the much-heralded Croxley Rail Link project is approved and a new station built at the site.

Sigma Pharmaceuticals has already agreed deal to lease four warehouses on the site.