Delay to South Woodford sorting office move

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DELAYING the closure of a sorting office is “very little consolation” for its closure, a service user says.

Reena Pathak, who lives in South Woodford, says the Royal Mail’s decision to push back the closure of the town’s sorting office remains “a blow to the vibrancy of the high street.”

The Royal Mail announced that services in Marlborough Road will relocate to Chingford on May 14 instead of this month after discussions with the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU).

Ms Pathak, a member of the South Woodford Society, says the move is a “smack in the face” for users.


She says: “First and foremost, it feels like a smack in the face. It’s sad for the community. If it moves it’s more than an hour bus journey away one way.

“We have so many elderly people and young mothers here who simply can’t catch busses like that. A delay is very little consolation at all. It decimates the community and it’s not practical. It’s very sad.”

The Royal Mail says it has taken the decision because the current building no longer meets requirements. And a lack of parking space makes moving mail harder for delivery vehicles and customers have nowhere to park.

Bosses say there will be no job losses as a result of the move.

Ms Pathak argues life will be harder for those who rely on the service.

She says: “The post office isn’t doing anything to make our lives easier. The solution should not have been out of the area but in it. Change isn’t the issue.

“Moving it outside the area makes no sense to residents. It’s not only disruptive, it makes life nigh on impossible for people to collect their parcels. They haven’t found a palatable plan B.

“It’s another blow to the vibrancy of the high street. South Woodford is always the one getting bashed.”

The sorting office has served the community for 60 years.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Mail says: “South Woodford delivery office no longer meets our requirements as we deliver more parcels and online shopping to customers, and fewer letters.

“This is part of our ongoing transformation of our business to increase the efficiency of our operation and provide delivery offices that are fit for purpose for our people and our customers.”