Closure of Bradford West, Shipley and Bingley delivery offices confirmed (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Closure of Bradford West, Shipley and Bingley delivery offices confirmed

8:50am Wednesday 11th April 2012 in Readers polls By Tanya O'Rourke

Royal Mail has confirmed three of its delivery offices in the district will be closed by next February.

The decision – which will see offices in Bingley, Shipley and Bradford West closed and their operations relocated to Bradford North in Inkersley Road – has provoked criticism by Bradford Council leader Ian Greenwood after councillors backed a call for the company to consult fully with its customers in the district.

Coun Greenwood said: “I think it is absolutely wrong that they haven’t consulted with ordinary members of the public. People will feel it’s just been pushed through without meaningful consultation.

“People are going to have to travel to pick up mail in a way they haven’t previously. It’s massively inconvenient to people.

“They have avoided speaking to people and it is entirely wrong.”

Bradford and District Older People’s Alliance (Bopa), which raised a petition against the closures, said it felt its pleas had been ignored.

Chairman Jean Walker, said: “Again it’s harder for older people if they have to get around and they haven’t their own transport. Particularly if it’s a heavy parcel. Not everyone’s got a car.

“A parcel service is essential. It’s like everything else. Life is getting harder and we are losing services. Older people are not as mobile.

“I think they haven’t listened, they haven’t looked at it, about their customers and how it is for older and more vulnerable people.”

Bingley’s office will close in October or November this year, Bradford West’s office will close in January, 2013, and the Shipley delivery office will close in February, 2013.

Royal Mail says it is modernising its operations and responding to the growth in electronic communications.

It will not be imposing any compulsory redundancies as a result of the move.

A spokesman said it appreciated the impact the move would have on its customers and said it had given “due consideration” to how it could protect and serve their interests.

Royal Mail’s director of logistics Harry Southall, said: “We have been talking to our people about the move, as we must modernise our operations.

“The relocation of Bingley, Shipley and Bradford West Delivery Offices is part of this, allowing us to place the business on a sound, secure and stable footing.

“Our service to customers will continue to be a top priority during these changes. Customers can be reassured that we will do all we can to minimise disruption and ensure we maintain the high level of service they expect and deserve from Royal Mail.”