Sunday 13 February 2011

Postal collection centre - demand for proper public consultation

Further to my meeting with Royal Mail last November, I have now called on the organistaion to postpone its planned closure of its Crichton Street Collection Office pending a proper consultation with customers and the general public.
 
This follows Royal Mail admitting that there would be “no consultation on this move as it is a business necessity change”, something that contradicts assurances given to me when I met Royal Mail in November to express my concerns about the closure.   Proper consultation is absolutely vital as it will show how vital the facility in Crichton Street is and that the public back it staying open.

I feal that Royal Mail has already made its mind up and will try to close the office in April without bothering to hold a proper consultation.   I am therefore demanding that a proper public consultation takes place.

If the Crichton Street facility closes, Royal Mail say that the Baird Avenue and Edward Street Royal Mail Centres will be the alternative available collection centres.

My major area of concern is that, although the Edward Street depot is handy for some West End residents in the Blackness/Milnbank area, for many West End residents, it is not a convenient location. It is not an easy walk for an elderly person travelling by bus. From both the 17 and 22 services' routes, the walk is hilly in places. Baird Avenue is utterly hopeless if you rely on public transport.

Royal Mail claim the Crichton Street office struggles to cope with the increased parcel business, given its limited space and it also fails to meet Disability Discrimination Act requirements.

I am convinced that the Crichton Street office could be relatively easily altered to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. The front access is already relatively level and all it would take to comply with disability requirements is a new reception desk, repainting and provision of an induction loop.

The crucial point is that this office is extremely well situated in terms of public transport and, by comparison, the alternatives are poorly served by public transport.