Last updated at 14:27, Friday, 08 February 2013

Discussions will be held with staff and unions over plans to close the Royal Mail sorting office in Maryport.

A decision will be made following a review undertaken by the Royal Mail as part of its modernisation programme.

If the closure goes ahead 23 workers will be transferred from the Solway Industrial Trading Estate depot to an expanded unit at Workington’s Derwent Howe.

Royal Mail spokeswoman Felicity MacFarlane pointed to declining letter numbers and increasing parcel volumes.

She said: “We are undertaking one of the biggest modernisation programmes in UK industry. ”

Staff, unions and the Royal Mail have entered a 12-week review, said Dean Ferguson of the Communications Workers Union.

He added: “We need to know more. However we have been told that all jobs are safe.”

Maryport mayor Peter Kendall said he was shocked by Royal Mail’s proposal.

He said: “The delivery office is well used, not only by people picking up undelivered parcels but by many local businesses who wanted their mail early in the day.”

First published at 14:26, Friday, 08 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk