Over 2,000 people have signed a petition in the last 24 hours against plans to close a delivery office in Irlam.
Royal Mail want to shut the Liverpool Road office and move operations six miles away to Urmston.
It says the need for the closure comes from “increased efficiency” after a sharp drop in the amount of letters and rising numbers of parcels being delivered.
It added that no final decision had yet been made.
But opponents – including local MP Barbara Keeley, the Communication Workers Union and local councillors – say the move will have a “significant impact” on staff and customers.
An online petition has already passed 2,000 signatures since being launched yesterday.
Residents and local companies posting on the petition site are outraged at the proposals, especially after the closure of local services in nearby Cadishead.
Kate B writes: “I rely on this for my business.
“An 18 mile round trip is a long way and because our post is delivered at some point between 8am and 3pm each day it’s completely unavoidable!
“For other locals who don’t drive and have to rely on the area’s poor transport system. Or those who do drive and frequently sit in the ridiculous traffic jams along the A56 (2 miles in just 40 minutes).
“For an area that is in development with new housing projects and potential for growth this make NO sense!!!
Ms Keeley, MP for Worsley and Eccles South, told SalfordOnline.com: “This would make for a difficult commute to work for staff and may be an impossible journey for some Royal Mail customers.
“Urmston is only accessible for rail passengers.
“There are no direct bus services between Irlam and Urmston and car drivers would encounter the traffic congestion that plagues the M60 near the Trafford Centre.
“I don’t believe it is fair for Royal Mail to inflict this difficult journey onto staff and customers in Irlam.”
Ward councillors Roger Jones, Peter Taylor, John Walsh, Christine Hudson and Jimmy Hunt are joining Barbara in objecting to the proposed relocation from Irlam to Urmston.
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But Royal Mail say they will “establish an alternative local collection point” in Irlam should the closure plans go ahead, so customers would not have to travel to Urmston to collect undelivered mail.
Royal Mail are also looking to relocate a delivery office in Tyldesley to the Manchester North West Delivery Office, on Shield Drive on the Wardley Industrial Estate in Swinton.
Keeley and local councillors are also objecting to that move on the basis that it would increase congestion on the already rammed A580 East Lancs Road.
“This would cause similar problems for delivery office staff and for people with M29 postcodes who need to collect parcels,” said the MP.
“The East Lancs Road is already so heavily congested that adding to that congestion and forcing staff and customers to make this journey is just not sensible.”
Local residents who want the MP to fight on their behalf are asked comment at www.barbarakeeley.co.uk/contact.
Royal Mail said in a statement: “Royal Mail is exploring an option to relocate its Irlam delivery office to Urmston.
“In considering this move, our objective is to provide better facilities for our people and our customers, to increase the efficiency of our operation, and to address the decline in letter volumes and the rise in the number of parcels being ordered and delivered.
“In the first instance, we will discuss these plans in detail with our people and trade unions and seek their feedback.
“No final decision has been made and we are committed to continuing to provide a first class service to our business and residential customers in Irlam.
“Should any proposal be adopted formally, detailed planning will take place to ensure an efficient transition for our operations, our people and the service we provide to our customers.
“This would include establishing an alternative local collection point for undelivered mail items.”
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Main image by Royal Mail
