Petition launched to save sorting office (From Echo)

Petition launched to save sorting office

6:00am Thursday 5th March 2009 in

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A CAMPAIGN group has launched a petition against the redevelopment of Wickford’s post sorting office.

Wickford Action Group wants to save the Royal Mail depot, in Lower Southend Road, from plans to build 173 luxury flats on the site.

Basildon Council had imposed a compulsory purchase order on the site to allow the new development to go ahead.

However, the Government announced a planning inquiry would be held into the proposals after the action group raised concerns.

The campaigners claimed moving the sorting office could create more traffic and would not help residents or postal workers in the town.

Alan Ball, chairman of the group, said postmen using bicycles for their routes could have to use vans more often if the sorting office was moved out of town.

He said: “Even if the collection services stay in the town centre, it’s still worse because of the vehicle movements.

“The council is not being green or helping the residents of Wickford, so it’s not acceptable.”

However, Stephen Horgan, Basildon councillor responsible for regeneration, said the site was prime development space and the council wanted the sorting office’s collection services in the town centre.

In January, Royal Mail also announced it was objecting to the plans for the flats.

But Mr Horgan said: “The council wants the post office in Wickford town centre.

“The council wants the collection services in Wickford town centre.

“So if you take the sorting facilities away, what does it matter? This petition could confuse people and make them think it’s affecting something they use.”

The action group is hoping to gather as many signatures as possible to present to the inquiry.

It is planning to put the petition around shops in Wickford and it can also be signed online, by visiting www.wickfordactiongroup. org.uk