Gloucestershire mail centre to close

Royal Mail has recently announced the closure of Gloucestershire’s Mail Centre with plans to relocate the work 34 miles away to Swindon. This decision appears to have been taken with the minimum of consideration to maintaining a quality service to businesses and residents of Gloucestershire and also, of the environmental impact of the extra distance involved in transporting mail out of, and back into Gloucester, via Swindon.

The closure of Gloucestershire’s Mail Centre will affect anyone living in the county. We need to get as many residents of Gloucestershire to tell Royal Mail and the Government that their plans are not acceptable. To help with the campaign we suggest that you register objects to Royal Mail’s about their decision to close Gloucestershire’s Mail Centre, by writing to Allan Leighton, Chairman, Royal Mail, 148 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HQ.

You can also visit the campaign website for more information and up to date news at www.savegloucestermailcentre.co.uk where you will also be able to sign the on-line petition and see the Early Day Motion in the House of Commons objecting to the closure. Copy of my letter below:

Allan Leighton,
Chairman, Royal Mail,
148 Old Street,
London,
EC1V 9HQ

6th November 2006

Dear Mr Leighton,

I am very concerned regarding the intended closure of Gloucester Postal sorting office. This is yet another attack on local service provision which will result in the loss of many jobs. As you know some of these jobs will be relocated to Swindon and these workers will have to drive the 34 miles each way on a daily basis to do the same job for which they previously travelled only a few miles.

A significant number of letters sent in Gloucestershire are sent to local addresses in Gloucester: these currently travel a few miles in total as opposed to around 70 miles to Swindon and back. We have just had the Stern report and it is now more than clear we live in a world where we need to reduce emissions.

Indeed the Post Office website has details of its 'Corporate Responsibility' where it identifies 17.5% of its CO2 equivalents emissions coming from people commuting to work; and its business travel by road as contributing 41% of its CO2 emissions. The Post Office expresses a commitment to cutting these emissions and yet wants to move workers from Gloucester to Swindon and carry local letters to Swindon and back. This is purely short term financial gains.

Gloucestershire’s Mail Centre is known within Royal Mail for its excellent productivity. It is vital we retain local centres and reduce our carbon footprint.

Yours Sincerely,

Cllr. Philip Booth, on behalf of Stroud District Green Party.

Mail centre saved but no Sunday post

Great news - the city's mail centre has been saved from the proposed move to Swindon - am convinced people power won the day - all political colours rose against the proposal and a constant flow of letters to papers, a march and various other moves mean it is now under review. Workers will understandably still have a sense of uncertainty - it looks like common sense has won but we should not lower our guard just yet. See Green campaign letter here and scroll down to my previous blog entry on this on 8th November here. The campaigns website also has news here.

On October 28th, Sunday and bank holiday post collections from boxes will be cut - that is some 288 boxes in Gloucestershire - another erosion of a once great service - Royal Mail say they have to make the cuts to compete with rivals - all in the name of competition....