Anger over postcodes shake-up

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... es_shakeup" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TOWNS will lose their postmarks under a major postal service shake-up, Royal Mail has confirmed.

Mail sorting offices in Bolton, Oldham and Stockport have been controversially earmarked for closure - with the potential loss of 900 jobs - and all mail would be sorted in central Manchester.

The BL for Bolton, OL (Oldham) and SK (Stockport) postcodes will disappear and all mail will be stamped with a Manchester code.

Bolton will lose 400 workers at the Stonehill Road plant in Farnworth, while 300 jobs will go at the Green Lane sorting office, in Norris Bank, Stockport. The sorting office in Hamilton Street, Oldham, will close with the loss of 150 jobs.

In Bolton, a huge petition has been launched. Campaigners say the decision will mean the town, one of the largest in the country, would lose its `identity and history'. Its sorting office will shut next year.

The plans are part of a £50m reorganisation programme, which would see a new regional distribution centre and new delivery offices built in Manchester.

Bolton's Conservative leader Coun John Walsh launched the petition and is seeking an urgent meeting with Royal Mail bosses.

He said: "We do not want to be taken over by Greater Manchester. It is as simple as that. We are not Manchester. We are Bolton. Bolton's identity is important and a loss of identity devalues the history of our region."

Workers at all three sorting centres have threatened industrial action.

A Royal Mail spokesman said the change was needed to improve efficiency and months of consultations had been held. She said: "It would be impractical to process items differently from other mail passing through the Manchester mail centre. Quality of service will be maintained."

[not me]

yup in that whole story,you losiing your 'history' is the most importent point.....................

[Lounge Lizard]

Surely a paper as long established as the Manchester Evening News should know the difference between a postmark and a postcode and be able to get its facts right.
Yes, Bolton, Oldham and Stockport will "lost their postmarks" but that does NOT mean that "The BL for Bolton, OL (Oldham) and SK (Stockport) postcodes will disappear"

[johnsouthwales]

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/search/3 ... ng_office/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Royal Mail plans to build a regional distribution centre and four delivery offices as part of a £51 million investment,resulting in the loss of the Farnworth centre, along with those at Stockport and Oldham, with the work transferred to mail centres in Manchester and Preston.

where are the 4 d.o??

[andy2007]

yup in that whole story,you losiing your 'history' is the most importent point.....................

Exactly! I'm far more concerned about the jobs that will be lost, than what Postmark will be on my letters (I live in the affected area). I signed that petition, but sadly, I have little hope that it will matter. Past experience, leads me to believe that they will totaly ignore it. Just look at what's happening at Coppras Hill, and Crewe!

There have been stickers all over the place, ever since the closures were first suggested. And there is a lot of local support. Only time will tell if it will help.