THE STAND-OFF over the future of Wickford's postal sorting office looks set to continue after the Royal Mail denied rumours it was moving to Basildon.
The sorting office, in Lower Southend Road, has been earmarked for demolition along with surrounding shops, to make way for 173 luxury riverside flats under Wickford's masterplan.
There had been a rumour among postmen and Lower Southend Road shopkeepers it would be moved to a site in Burnt Mills Road, Basildon.
But Royal Mail spokesman James Taylor insisted this was untrue.
He said: "The situation is that we are continuing discussions with the developer Bradgate Developments, but a suitable new site has not so far been agreed.
"I can say there is no plan to move to Burnt Mills. Obviously our priority is to find somewhere that allows us to maintain a high quality service for our customers in Wickford." Basildon Council has agreed to use compulsory purchase orders if necessary to force businesses, including Royal Mail, to move from Lower Southend Road.
The luxury riverside flats are seen as the catalyst for wider regeneration under the Wickford Masterplan.
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