Radlett SO to shut due to tough trading conditions

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Radlett Sorting Office to shut due to 'tough trading conditions', say Royal Mail

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Postal bosses have been forced to shut a sorting office in Radlett because of “increasingly tough trading conditions”.

Radlett Sorting Offices, in Watling Street, will shut next year forcing angry residents to travel an extra four miles to collect packages from Shenley Road, Borehamwood.

Sally Hopkins, spokeswoman for Royal Mail, said: “We are faced with declining mail volumes and increasingly tough trading conditions.

“The consolidation of our delivery offices will play a major part in allowing us to place the business on a sound, secure and stable footing.

“We do appreciate this move will impact on customers and our planning activities always give due consideration as to how we can protect and serve the interests of customers.”

Radlett residents are “fuming” about the closure, and told the Borehamwood and Elstree Times that the post office is an “integral part of village life”.

Those without a car will also be forced to take a bus from Radlett to Borehamwood, which only comes once an hour.

Ms Hopkins continued: “We are confident that moving the Radlett operation will provide improved working conditions, secure employment and a cost effective operation.

“There will not be any compulsory redundancies as part of the move and we will reimburse our staff any extra milage incurred by the changes in their place of work.”

She added that Royal Mail have recently been given the go ahead to leave items too big for a letterbox with neighbours.

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Anger over upcoming closure of Radlett Sorting Office, Watling Street

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Anger surrounds the upcoming closure of a sorting office that is an “integral part of village life”.

Radlett Sorting Office, in Watling Street, is due to shut its doors sometime next year despite public resistance.

The closure means that residents living in the village will be forced to drive four miles, or wait for the one-hourly bus to Shenley Road, Borehamwood, to pick up parcels and post.

Susan Field, of Williams Way, Radlett, is urging people to write to their councillors and Royal Mail in a bid to stop this from happening.

The 54-year-old, who is self employed, said: “It is going to be a massive inconvenience and such a hassle.

“This is also really unfair on people who do not have cars, such as elderly people, who will end up trekking to Borehamwood for a couple of hours just to pick up post.

“This is all really unnecessary.”

Bosses announced the office would be shutting in March 2012, but then extended this date and Royal Mail confirmed it will shut in the next year.

Harold Karmel, of Newberries Avenue, Radlett, is “fuming” over the closure and vowed to not give up the fight.

The 70-year-old said he retired to Radlett five years ago because he was attracted to the village feel but fears this will be a step in the wrong direction.

He added: “This is absolutely disgusting. The sorting office is an integral part of our community in the centre of the village.

“I am very much against this. There is a large community in Radlett and if we all were forced into Borehamwood for our post it would cause mayhem.

“It is ridicilous. I just cannot get over this, all to save a few pennies.”

Staff members at the sorting office told the Borehamwood and Elstree Times they risk being suspended if they discuss this matter with the press.

The Borehamwood and Elstree Times is awaiting comment from the Royal Mail.