Royal Mail proposes moving Heywood office nine miles away to Oldham

Campaign poster - save Heywood post delivery office

Residents of Heywood may have to travel miles to collect their post as Royal Mail has proposed moving the delivery office from its current location on Hind Hill Street in Heywood to Oldham’s Hamilton Street.

The proposals have sparked concern that many residents, including the elderly and disabled, will be unable to travel the nine miles for a missed delivery.

For those who cannot drive, it would mean catching three different buses to collect mail, one bus to Rochdale or Middleton, one bus to Oldham and then a final bus to the sorting office. A round trip could take approximately three hours, not accounting for any delays.

Concerns for the staff have also been raised, with the staff being forced to travel from Heywood to pick up deliveries in Oldham to deliver in Heywood.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) hase posted leaflets in Heywood, informing residents of the proposals and urging them to ‘defend local services and local jobs’ as the relocation would see the service ‘deteriorate’.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Royal Mail is exploring an option to relocate Heywood delivery office to its office in Oldham.

“This is part of Royal Mail’s ongoing transformation of its business and its work to increase the efficiency of its operations and to address the structural decline in letter volumes and the rise in the number of parcels being ordered and delivered.

“Royal Mail explores these relocation options to help us provide better facilities for our people and our customers. In the first instance, we discuss these plans with our people and trade unions and seek their feedback.

“If this move goes ahead, there will be no impact on deliveries to our customers. The postmen and women who work in Heywood delivery office will continue to serve the local community, delivering a high quality service to our customers.

“As part of our feasibility study, we will also be investigating the provision of a local solution for customers who are not at home when the postman calls, to collect their undelivered mail.”

Other delivery offices proposed for relocation include Bacup and Todmorden.

• http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/105637/royal-mail-proposing-to-move-the-bacup-office-to-rochdale