The decision to close delivery offices in the Aire Valley appears to have taken a step forward after a ‘for sale’ sign went up on the Shipley office.

Royal Mail confirmed in April its decision to close the offices in Bingley , Shipley and Bradford West and move operations to the Bradford North office in Inkersley Road.

The decision was made without public consultation, sparking anger among elderly people’s groups and senior councillors.

Since the announcement, Royal Mail has made assurances that an office will be provided for people in Shipley and Bingley to pick up their mail. Bob Hulme, secretary of the Bradford and District branch of the Communication Workers Union, said: “There will be arrangements made for customers, that if they have to collect a parcel then they can have it re-delivered, delivered to another address or delivered to a post office, so they will be accommodated.”

Royal Mail has not yet made clear where the alternative facilities will be located and whether similar arrangements will be put in place in Bradford West to compensate for the closure of the delivery office in Thornton Road.