Christmas parcel collection chaos fear at Nuneaton DO

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Christmas parcel collection chaos fear at Nuneaton sorting office

http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/News/Chr ... 122013.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

CHRISTMAS parcel collections could be thrown into chaos as Royal Mail bosses do not know when they can re-open the asbestos-hit sorting office in Nuneaton.

The Church Street-based sorting office, including the front counter, has been closed for the past two working days and post bosses admit they do not know when they can re-open it again.

This means that people cannot collect any parcels they may have missed at the local depot, many of which will be Christmas presents, and will instead have to travel to a temporary collection office at the former Parcelforce at Unit C4 on Three Spires Industrial Estate, Ibstock Road in Coventry.

Royal Mail bosses are aware of the huge inconvenience this will cause to residents across the borough and have issued an apology.

They have stressed that they are working hard to try and re-open the local sorting office but, due to the outbreak of the dangerous material, have to put ‘staff and customers’ safety first.

The forced closure of the sorting office could not have come at a worse time for Royal Mail as Christmas time is traditionally hectic time for its staff, and now they too will have to work out of the unit in Coventry.

But a major hurdle was overcome at the weekend as post men and women were able to resume deliveries on Saturday after the service had to be suspended on Friday due to the outbreak.

As reported first on the News online, the asbestos outbreak was caused when a vehicle reversing into the internal loading area damaged a small section of the ceiling.

It is understood that the impact of the smash disturbed the ceiling’s asbestos coating, forcing local management to close the office immediately.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that it could be up to five weeks before the sorting office is re-opened but a spokesperson for Royal Mail told the News that they are working to restore the normal service as soon as possible, but was unable to give any date.

"Royal Mail can confirm that it is establishing a temporary delivery office operation from the former Parcelforce depot at Ibstock Road in Coventry, following the temporary closure of its delivery office in Nuneaton," the spokesperson said.

"Royal Mail has re-commenced deliveries to the Nuneaton area and aims to have a caller’s office facility in place from early next week –from which customers will be able to collect undelivered mail and parcels.

"Royal Mail sincerely apologises to its customers for the inconvenience caused by this incident and is working to ensure a normal service resumes as quickly as possible.

"Our priority is the health and safety of our colleagues and customers.