'Madness': Ex-RM worker on 120-mile trip for Hull Council

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'Madness': Ex-Royal Mail worker on 120-mile trip for Hull City Council letters http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A FORMER Royal Mail worker running his own postal collection and delivery business in Hull says sending council letters on a 120-mile round trip is "madness".

The Mail has revealed how Hull City Council's second class post is now being driven to Leeds to be sorted and franked before being returned to Hull for delivery.

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Andy Wright launched his own company, the Hull Post People, two years ago, collecting and delivering mail in the city.

The daily journeys up and down the M62 are part of a new contract between the council and postal delivery firm TNT.

The work used to be carried out internally by the council from a Guildhall post room.

Andy Wright launched his own company, the Hull Post People, two years ago, collecting and delivering mail in the city.

He said: "I would have loved to have pitched for the contract with the council but, instead, they chose to go with one of the big boys.

"They say they are saving money with TNT and that's fair enough. But it's madness than all this mail has to be driven 120 miles just to be delivered back in Hull."

Mr Wright, whose company handles most of Hull College's external mail, said: "We're a local company trying to establish ourselves with a licence to collect and deliver post in Hull.

"It's just disappointing the council don't seem to realise what is out there on its own doorstep.

"The frustrating thing for me has been trying to get to speak to the right person at the council about our services and what we might be able to offer.

"I just seem to keep going round in circles."

In a reply to a Freedom of Information Act request from the Mail, the council said it expected to save £100,000 this year under the new contract.

Deputy council leader Daren Hale has confirmed the contract, issued under the previous Liberal Democrat administration, is under review.