Merger for Swindon mail offices (From Swindon Advertiser)

Merger for Swindon mail offices

6:23pm Monday 11th February 2013 in News By Matthew Edwards

ROYAL Mail are merging two of their offices with the aim of delivering a better service.

They have confirmed that Hawksworth and Dorcan delivery offices are to relocate to a new centre on the Wheatstone Campus, in Dorcan.

The moves are due to take place in January 2014 for the Hawksworth delivery office and in February or March of the same year for the Dorcan delivery office and follows months of working with staff and the Communication Workers Union.

The move is part of Royal Mail’s ongoing modernisation of their operations across the country.

The completed works will include an improved customer inquiry office facility, with longer opening hours and additional customer car parking spaces at the new location.

Royal Mail’s delivery sector manager, Steve Bell, said: “We have been talking to our people about the move, as we must modernise our operations.

“The relocation of Hawksworth and Dorcan delivery offices is part of this and will allow us to place the business on a sound, secure and stable footing.

“Our service to customers will continue to be a top priority during these changes.

“Customers can be reassured that we will do all we can to minimise disruption and ensure we maintain the high level of service they expect and deserve from Royal Mail.”

Royal Mail have said that the relocation of both delivery offices will provide improved working conditions for their staff and provide a more cost-effective operation for Royal Mail.

Mr Bell, said: “Detailed planning for any move will take place to ensure a smooth transition for our operations.

“Such relocations are happening elsewhere across the UK and we work with our staff and our unions to give them the opportunity to discuss the implications individually.

“We have a very strong track record of managing change. There will be no job losses. We also reimburse our staff for any extra mileage incurred by changes to their place of work.”

The Hawksworth delivery depot employs 170 members of staff and the Dorcan delivery office employs 99 members of staff.

Swindon was chosen as one of eight parcel hubs in the country to deal with the high demand in parcels over the Christmas period. Royal Mail’s depot at the Greenbridge Industrial Estate, which was larger than a football pitch, employed 350 seasonal staff and handled up to half a million parcels on its busiest day.