Royal Mail reshuffle due to rise in parcel numbers

A DECLINE in letter writing and the rise of online shopping could lead to a reshuffle of postal services in Glasgow.

Royal Mail is looking at moving delivery centres around the city to accommodate a high volume of parcel deliveries.

Dougrie Drive’s centre, i n Castlemilk, could move across Glasgow to the office on Victoria Road.

As part of proposals, the operation for the Gorbals/Lauriston area could also move to the G1-4 delivery office at Baird Street from the office within Victoria Road.

The moves, which are out for consultation with staff and union the Communication Workers Union (CWU), would see opening hours extended for the service.

However, one postman, who asked not to be named, said the changes would increase traffic on the South Side of the city and cause disruption for customers.

He said: “All this will do is give a headache to customers who have to pick up parcels from the sorting office and will now need to travel from Castlemilk across to Victoria Road.

“It will have an impact on the environment as well as it will mean delivery drivers moving around and customers moving around.”

But a Royal Mail spokeswoman said that customers who do not want to travel can arrange to have their parcels redelivered or delivered to another address.

She added that the postal service plans to introduce electric vehicles before the end of the year.

The Royal Mail said that if the moves goes ahead, detailed planning would take place before any change to the operations.

It was said that there will also not be any job losses during the potential move.

IN addition, deliveries will not be impacted by the changes, should they eventually go ahead.