100 march against post closures

More than 100 campaigners took to the streets in protest at plans to close Royal Mail sorting offices in Herne Bay and Whitstable. They marched through Herne Bay on Saturday and along the seafront, led by Bay sound engineer David Shepherd, 39, with a loud hailer.

Joining him was Whitstable campaigner and postman Chris Stone. Royal Mail Wants to close depots in Eddington Lane, Herne Bay, and Cromwell Road, Whitstable, as part of a huge shake-up within the next two years. Operations would be concentrated at the Canterbury depot in Military Road. The march was featured by both BBC and ITV. Mr Shepherd, who also took along his young son Oscar, said:

"We are bringing the issue to the attention of more people. We fear Herne Bay and Whitstable residents will be forced to travel to Canterbury to collect undelivered post."

Protesters predict it will take posties longer to complete their rounds. The Royal Mail says the changes are part of a modernisation programme that will cut costs and increase efficiency. Canterbury and Whitstable MP Julian Brazier has written to Royal Mail bosses, warning:

"The mail will have to be carried to and from Canterbury by van, rather than bicycle, which seems a retrogressive step at a time when you are publicly committed to greener options."

Postman Chris Stone said:

"There has already been £400 million spent on new machinery which actually slows down delivery. Millions have been spent on new vans to replace bikes."

Mr Stone said he was slightly disappointed by the turnout in Herne Bay - 200 people joined the Whitstable march - but he feels there is time to build the campaign.

HB Times 30th Jun 2011

So-called savings will deliver more costs

As I'm sure you know by now, they are closing down the delivery offices in Whitstable and Herne Bay, and relocating them to Canterbury. This is being done in the name of savings. It will cost less to maintain a single centralised office than three local offices, we are told. But is it true? I've been working it out.

There are 50 workers each in Whitstable and Herne Bay - 100 workers altogether. It will take about 30 minutes each way to drive to and from Canterbury. So that's an hour of Royal Mail time spent getting postal workers to and from the start of their rounds. They earn £8.86 an hour, so it will cost the company £886 a day, which is £5,316 a week, or £276,432 a year.

That's more than a quarter of a million pounds a year just to get the workforce to the start of their round every day. How is that a “saving” exactly? What kind of accountant adds a quarter of a million pounds to your wages bill and then describes it as a saving?

This is not to speak of the extra pollution of hundreds of vans spluttering about Canterbury during the rush hour or the cost in maintenance, petrol, road tax and insurance. It's not to speak of traffic chaos in Canterbury or parking problems in Military Road. It's not to speak of the inconvenience to customers of having to travel to Canterbury to pick up their undelivered mail.

Those of you who sent a letter to the Royal Mail after the march in Whitstable will know how dismissive they are. It is a business matter, they say; they don't have to consult, case closed. It is time for us to stand up and tell them we demand that they listen, and the case is not closed. The Herne Bay march will assemble at 2pm on Saturday outside the May Lodge Club, Herne Bay, to begin marching at 3pm. I hope to see you there.

Written in Stone: HB Gazette 23rd Jun 2011

Councillors say sorting office closure will be 'horrendous'

Closing the sorting office in Herne Bay will affect new businesses, according to concerned councillors. Members of the city council's ruling executive debated Royal Mail's plan to shut the depot and move staff to Canterbury, at their meeting on Thursday. Petitioner Dick Eburne said the move would cause many problems. He said:

"It will have a significant impact on the people of Herne Bay who want to collect their mail."

Bay councillor Peter Lee said:

"This concerns me greatly, particularly when people are starting new businesses, post is still an important factor when getting a business off the ground. They don't really have a clue in what they are doing and it concerns me that the service is only going to get worse."

The decision to shut the offices in Herne Bay and Whitstable was described as "horrendous" by Herne councillor Peter Vickery-Jones, who said there would be an extra 2,500 journeys for posties.

The closures are part of a restructure planned to be completed by 2013. Protesters say people would have to travel to the city to collect parcels not delivered. Protesters will march through Herne Bay on Saturday, June 25. Everyone is welcome to join them at May Lodge, 14 Central Parade, Herne Bay, at 2pm. The march will set off at 3pm.

HB Times 23rd Jun 2011

Closures "justified by fall in council grant"

HB Times 28th Oct 2010

Mail plan would mean closure for sorting office

HB Times 30th Sep 2010

Sorting Office

Protect jobs and services in decision on sorting office

HB Gazette 30th Sep 2010 Editorial