South Leeds Life 33 Oct17

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Your FREE community newspaper

Issue 33 | October 2017

What’s happening in Beeston, Belle Isle, Cottingley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Middleton & Stourton

In this issue:

Engineering firm’s centenary

page 4

Workers and residents say:

KEEP HOLBECK OFFICE OPEN

The Great Beeston Bake Off

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by Jeremy Morton

Royal Mail’s plans to close their Holbeck Delivery Office have been greeted with shock and anger by postal workers and local residents alike. Under the plans, the current office on New Princess Street would close and operations would move to the Leeds City Mail Processing Unit (MPU) on an industrial estate off Wellington Bridge near the Armley Gyratory, behind the Harley-Davidson dealership. Royal Mail, which was privatised in 2013, says the move “will improve facilities for our customers in the LS11 postcode area” and that there would be no impact on deliveries in the area. But postal workers point out the many people visit the office to collect parcels and other items. The Leeds City site is only accessible by car via the notoriously busy Armley Gyratory system; and almost impossible by bus or on foot. They also question Royal Mail’s assertion that there will be customer parking at the new site, pointing out that there will be twice as many vans as at present, plus staff parking. Speaking to postal workers, one told me: “How is this being part of the community? This will cause problems, especially

Green fingered Tabitha

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Staff from Holbeck Delivery Office are joined by residents and Cllr Angela Gabriel for the elderly or infirm or anyone who doesn’t have their own transport.” Another said: “Since privatisation all Royal Mail care about is their shareholders. Selling off this site is just asset stripping. It doesn’t make commercial sense, they could easily lose big customers to competitors such as DHL who have a depot in Leeds 11.” Others had environmental concerns: “Whilst you wasting your time stuck in a traffic queue you will also be adding to the air pollution. Three delivery routes walk straight from the office, they will need a

van after the move.” Royal Mail point out they can now leave many mail items with a neighbour if customers are not at home when they attempt delivery. Customers can nominate a dedicated neighbour to take in their parcels by filling in a form at their delivery office. Customers can also arrange a redelivery free of charge on a day that is convenient for them (including Saturdays), or Royal Mail can deliver the item to a different address within the same postcode area. This service can be arranged by calling the number on the

“Something for You” card, or by visiting the website at www.royalmail.com/redeliver The Communications Workers Union (CWU), which represents postal workers, is planning a campaign to oppose the closure and is keen to work with the community. The branch was meeting as South Leeds Life went to press. Councillors and Hilary Benn MP, who have not been consulted about the changes, are backing the campaign. Cllr Angela Gabriel (Beeston & Holbeck) said: “I am very concerned about this move and the effect it will have on

residents living in Leeds 11. I have already had many people getting in touch to express their concerns. Royal Mail really need to think again.” Royal Mail have said there will be no job losses as a result of this move, but the CWU questioned this. They also raised concerns about Health & Safety at the MPO stating that the Holbeck operation will have only two thirds the space it currently occupies. Discussions will continue during the 12 week consultation period. See more readers’ comments on page 10.

Hunslet have eye on the treble

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NEWS

2-7

SCHOOLS

8-9

FEEDBACK

10

PEOPLE

11

ARTS

12

WHAT’S ON SPORT

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