MSP urges Royal Mail to review Dumbarton office closure

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ROYAL Mail insist the closure of its Dumbarton office will go ahead despite politicians' last-minute efforts.

A company spokeswoman said the Dumbarton office is “no longer fit for purpose” because the increase in online shopping means it receives more parcels than previously.

It is scheduled to close on Monday, July 11. Royal Mail say no jobs will be lost.

Royal Mail spokeswoman, Morag Turnbull, said: “This [closure] is part of Royal Mail’s ongoing transformation of its business and its work to increase the efficiency of its operation as well as providing delivery offices that are fit for purpose for our staff and for our customers.

“As a commercial business, Royal Mail is operating in a market where letters are in structural decline and where there is competition in letters and parcels.

“The Dumbarton office was no longer fit for purpose, as we now deal with many more parcels. We will continue to provide a consistent and high quality service to our customers in Dumbarton”

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie tried to stop the transfer of services to Lomond Industrial Estate in Alexandria during a meeting with Royal Mail on Wednesday.

Under her proposal, Dumbarton residents would still be able to collect letters and parcels in Dumbarton.

The Royal Mail rejecting using the Post Office at the Co-op store on the High Street and alternative options in Dumbarton town centre.

Mrs. Baillie said: “It is disappointing that Royal Mail is proceeding with the closure of the Dumbarton delivery office but I am determined to make sure they do everything possible to secure a local collection point for customers in the town.

“I welcome the measures that the Royal Mail has put in place to lessen the impact on customers, including the arrangements for leaving parcels with neighbours or making re-deliveries, but I still think that more can and should be done.

"People would still have to travel to Alexandria to collect signed-for items and some people do not feel comfortable about disturbing their neighbours. The Lomond Industrial Estate is out of the way for many in Dumbarton and hard to reach by public transport.

“I am pleased that Royal Mail has listened to the concerns I raised on behalf of constituents and agreed to take a further look at the options for creating a collection point in the town centre.

"People in Dumbarton deserve a first-class service and that’s exactly what they should get from the Royal Mail.”