MP urges Royal Mail to protect 
 jobs as it considers relocation

The Royal Mail has announced it is reviewing the future of its delivery office and is considering whether to relocate services to Harrogate.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, said last night he had asked for reassurance that, if the decision is made to close the delivery office, service quality for local residents will not be affected and jobs will be protected.

“I am concerned that this proposal could lead to job losses and a poorer service for customers,” he said.

“I am determined to ensure that the services provided to local residents will not disappear if, in the end, they decide to go ahead with this option.”

Last night the Royal Mail said it did not anticipate there would be job losses.

Steve McGuinness, Royal Mail delivery director, said: “Royal Mail is investigating if we could relocate Knaresborough operations within our site at Harrogate delivery office.

“Faced with declining letter volumes and increasing parcel volumes, Royal Mail must constantly review how it manages its operations.

“We expect to be in a position to reach a decision later this year when we will communicate this to our people and stakeholders. Even if a decision is taken to relocate, it is not anticipated that there will be any job losses.”

Mr McGuinness said discussions were ongoing with staff and unions.

The move is the latest in a controversial overhaul, imposed by the Royal Mail as part of its bid to cut costs, which has also seen York’s mail sorting offices move across to West Yorkshire to be centralised in Leeds.