Postcard bid to save mail office

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CAMPAIGNERS battling to save Holbeach’s delivery office say they are about to launch the next phase of their plans.

A total of 2,000 postcards criticising Royal Mail’s plans have been printed by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in a bid to drum up support.

The union is calling on local businesses and residents to pick up a postcard, which will soon be available from a number of businesses in the town, sign it and post it back to Holbeach’s parish council office.

Andy Beeby, CWU branch chairman, said: “What we are doing is a postcard petition. Once they start to come back, we, along with the parish council and John Hayes MP, will be presenting them to Royal Mail.”

Mr Beeby says he is due to discuss opposition to the plans to shut the Barrington Gate office with Mr Hayes next week.

If the office closes, all of its business will transfer to Spalding.

Earlier this month, more than 85 members of the community turned out for a public meeting to air their concerns.

Mr Beeby says he is “very confident” of convincing Royal Mail to change its mind.

“Back in 2007 Royal Mail tried to close the office down. We ran a campaign on the same lines and are very confident again,” he said.

“The turn out for the public meeting was fantastic. It took me aback how much the people of Holbeach care for the services they have.”

He added: “Before the meeting I had walked the streets giving out leaflets and talking to people.

“They do not want to lose it and that’s what will win this campaign; people power and pressure from the MP and the parish council.”

Mr Beeby said the postcards were part of a “two-pronged attack”, along with a petition which has already gained hundreds of signatures.

Holbeach parish councillors are set to air their views about the closure of the delivery office in a private meeting with Royal Mail bosses.

Coun Martin Howard told councillors he was attempting to fix a date with the firm following the public meeting.