Last updated at 18:00, Friday, 08 March 2013

Campaigners have won their battle to save a postal sorting office from closure.

Peter Kendall

The Royal Mail announced last night that the Maryport centre was no longer under threat.

The move would have meant staff transferring to an expanded sorting office in Workington.

The news was roundly welcomed today by Maryport mayor Peter Kendall who said: “It is nice to see that the Royal Mail has looked at this and that common sense has prevailed.

“We have a population of around 16,000 people here. Why should they have to go to Workington to get a decent service?”

Bob Storey, Royal Mail delivery director, said: “After careful consideration of the key areas involved, a full assessment has been made and we have decided that a merger of the two delivery offices will not progress.

“Providing a consistent and high-quality service to our customers in Maryport will continue to be our top priority.”

He said the plans were withdrawn because the move would have a negative effect on mail operations in the Carlisle postal area.

There was an outcry in Maryport when the plan to shut the Solway Industrial Estate depot was revealed.

It would have seen 23 workers transferred to Workington’s Derwent Howe and townsfolk having to travel to Workington to pick up undelivered mail and parcels.

Royal Mail had blamed declining mail volumes and the need to operate efficiently.

First published at 17:56, Friday, 08 March 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk