Postal depot fears as office is closed - Whitland & Narberth

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FEARS Whitland and Narberth's postal delivery offices could be closed along with other West Wales offices have been denied by Royal Mail officials.

The fears follow the news that a delivery office in Fishguard is to close from the end of next month.

Concerns have been expressed that Whitland and Narberth's delivery offices were next on the cards, with plans for a new centralised office in the small village of Templeton mooted.

Dai Thomas, West Wales representative of the Communications Workers' Union, said: "What's being proposed unofficially is to merge Whitland with Narberth.

"We haven't got an issue with the Narberth one, it's not a fit building for health and safety purposes, but with the office in Whitland, there's nothing wrong with it.

"What's got back to me now is that they are thinking of Templeton, why I do not know, but they've got a site apparently.

"I was speaking to senior management and it's in the pipeline but they haven't given us a proper timeline."

He added: "If people in the Whitland area have to go and pick up a package they would have to travel to Templeton. It's not the greatest of roads.

"One of the arguments we've got is this site is going to cost some £500,000 to build.

"It's something we're keeping a close eye on, there's no smoke without fire."

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: "There's nothing specific at the moment with Narberth or Whitland.

"Faced with declining mail volumes and increasingly tough trading conditions, Royal Mail constantly reviews the operational efficiency and commercial practicality of all its units."

Ian Edwards, delivery and collection director for Wales, added: "As part of a business- wide modernisation programme, we are currently undertaking one of the biggest transformations in UK industry.

"Royal Mail is therefore investing in new technology and equipment and upgrading operational facilities in order to ensure that we have world class facilities which provide the most efficient and effective network for delivering the post.

"At the same time, we must respond to the huge growth in electronic communications and the resulting decline in overall mail volumes.

"With 16 million fewer letters posted every day compared to five years ago, we must modernise our operations and the consolidation of delivery offices will play a major part in allowing us to place the business on a sound, secure and stable footing."