Jobs fear for Royal Mail hub in West Thurrock

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FEARS are growing that 150 jobs could be lost as the Royal Mail considers the future of its distribution hub in West Thurrock, a site that was only opened in March 2009.

Royal Mail have confirmed that they are reviewing the East London Distribution and Vehicle Operating Centre on Oliver Road, which handles and transports bulk mail between Royal Mail processing sites.

Royal Mail spokesperson Sally Hopkins said:“Faced with declining letter volumes, and increasing parcel volumes, Royal Mail must continually review how it manages its operations as we work to transform and modernise our business for the future.

“We are currently consulting with our unions on our operations in West Thurrock,We expect to make a final decision on the future of this site in late Spring. We have an excellent record in managing any change to our operations and we aim to implement any changes to our operations without compulsory redundancies.”

A spokesperson for the workforce told the Enquirer: “Royal Mail have disregarded the future growth of Thurrock, along with the largest logistics park and super port in the world on their doorstep.

“It appears, in preparation for privatisation, Royal Mail have adopted a ‘sell sell sell policy.’”

It is believed the mail hub, on the old Euro Terminal site, could close as early as summer this year.

Ironically Royal Mail fought a long battle to get a site in Thurrock. Their first option, announced in 2006 was the site of the demolished West Thurrock power station on Thurrock Marshes.

The charity Bug Life challenged the development saying it would endanger many types of rare insects and invertebrates.

Bug Life lost the case and the site is to be built on but Royal Mail lost interest after so much publicity and instead switched to Oliver Road.