Silverdale Sorting/Delivery Office

Pat Trembath · Post by **Pat Trembath** » 7 Dec 2006 21:39

Over the past six months there have been rumours of a threat of closure of the Delivery Office in Silverdale. If this were to happen we would be directed to collect mail/packages from the Forest Hill Delivery Office in the Industrial park, Perry Vale, behind Forest Hill Station; relatively inaccessible, requiring a bus journey/s and a walk, and causing a major inconvenience to Sydenham residents collecting undelivered mail.

There would be the environmental impact of extra vehicles on the roads, both transporting mail to Forest Hill from Sydenham, and residents using their cars to get to Forest Hill.

The Sydenham Society understands that a decision is likely to be taken in Spring 2007. This secretive closure exercise has been characterised by misinformation and rumour. There has been no public consultation or announcement. Only through questions from Jim Dowd MP have Royal Mail’s plans been revealed.

The Sydenham Society strongly objects to this move. The present office is in the centre of Sydenham, close to other businesses and shops and, for customers, easily accessible on foot and close to bus and rail services.

Jim Dowd has asked requested that local residents sign a petition now being circulated to assist him and local councillors in their campaign to keep the Sorting and Delivery Office open. For a copy of this petition please email Jim Dowd on jimdowd.newlabour@care4free.net or dowdj@parliament.uk

The Sydenham Society is also encouraging everyone in Sydenham to write voicing their objections to: Adam Crozier, Chief Executive, Royal Mail Headquarters, 5th Floor, 148 Old St, London EC1V 9HQ

Please give this matter your urgent attention

The Eagle · Post by **The Eagle** » 8 Dec 2006 06:30

Unfortunately Royal Mail do NOT listen or care about their customers. It is money driven and will finally (this move has been rumoured for years now) go ahead with the relocation.

You only have to read the sign in the sorting office about it changing the closing time from 2pm to 1pm.....................due to a reorganisation........what a PATHETIC reason. Can you imagine them saying "Due to a reorganisation we are now staying open until 3pm"?

Pat Trembath · Post by **Pat Trembath** » 8 Dec 2006 08:44

Thank you "the Eagle" for your comments.

It is possible that the Royal Mail may close our facility at Silverdale, and they probably will if we do nothing but wring our hands and accept a closure without demur. A loss of such a service locally would create a major problem to everyone living in SE26, as well as to our posties upon whom much praise has been heaped by Forum posters.

In my opinion, a big community effort to support our elected MP and local councillors who will fight this closure on our behalf should be made and I urge, again, readers of this Forum to email Jim Dowd for a copy of his petition on jimdowd.newlabour@care4free.net or dowdj@parliament.uk

The Sydenham Society is sending a strongly worded letter of objection to the Chief Executive at Royal Mail and is also encouraging everyone in Sydenham to write voicing their objections to: Adam Crozier, Chief Executive, Royal Mail Headquarters, 5th Floor, 148 Old St, London EC1V 9HQ

Pat Trembath · Post by **Pat Trembath** » 11 Dec 2006 15:10

The future of the Delivery Office in Silverdale is slipping out of sight on this Forum.

Whilst I wouldn't wish to "bump" something up the list, the news of closures of thousands of post offices over the weekend should have made local residents focus sharply on the future of this local amenity.

Having just had a note through my door this morning saying a package was undeliverable, I have shrugged my shoulders and thought next time I am in Sydenham I'll call in at the Delivery office and retrieve. It will be only a short extra distance to my next trip to the high street, which I always do on foot.

In a few months time this package retrieving could be a matter of true nuisance value and a special car journey (lucky me to have a car), or a trip to Forest Hill by bus. An inconvenience not just for me, but for all in the SE26 area.

MP Jim Dowd is inviting local residents to sign his petition - see link above. The Sydenham Society has written a strong letter of objection to the Chief Executive of Royal Mail (address also above), maybe local residents could join in the protest, too?

Greg Whitehead · Post by **Greg Whitehead** » 11 Dec 2006 15:23

You are quite right and within your rights to bump this up the list Pat. You have my support in that the sorting office should not close. I have just clicked on both links and will happily sign. I really fear for the alternative, especially given the trek I have to make on foot to the City Link warehouse in Beckenham if I miss their delivery.

Can all our fellow STF forum members PLEASE do the same?

Greg Whitehead · Post by **Greg Whitehead** » 11 Dec 2006 15:56

Pat,

The care4free.net email address for Jim seems to fail? Did you encounter the same problem?

Best, Greg

intheknow · Post by **intheknow** » 3 Oct 2007 20:18

pat re package retrival

simply put but if u or anyone cannot get to forest hilll then simply ask 4 a redelivery 4 when u r home its on the card that is left

The Eagle · Post by **The Eagle** » 4 Oct 2007 05:05

Apparently it is definitely closing. It might be next month or they may wait until after Xmas.

intheknow · Post by **intheknow** » 4 Oct 2007 19:31

after xmas when buildlng work at f hill is finished : :

Suzee · Post by **Suzee** » 5 Oct 2007 10:01

intheknow suggests to get them to re-deliver parcels when you are home.... will they deliver after 7pm or at the weekends?

We must make our feelings known to the powers at be (even if we are not successful) so do as Pat Trembath suggests and get writing/emailing.

The Eagle · Post by **The Eagle** » 6 Oct 2007 04:42

Slightly off topic but.....................
Yesterday (Friday) Parcel Force tried to deliver a package to me (Hall Drive SE26). I was not in but they left a card saying it could be collected at my local post office .........Kingsdale Estate.

Anyone else experienced this before Kingsdale Estate as their local Post Office, or is it as a result of the Postal Strike.

Pat Trembath · Post by **Pat Trembath** » 9 Oct 2007 08:11

Apologies for not replying sooner to the queries - have been oop North for a week!

My previous posting about the possible closure of the Delivery Office in Silverdale was made last December. Since that time it has been clear that the Delivery Office will definitely close and the service be amalgamated with the Forest Hill Delivery Office.

intheknow is quite correct - on the back of the card advising of non-delivery there should be information about several ways to retrieve undelivered mail. At the beginning of this year these included re-delivery at a more convenient time, delivery to a different address or re-direction to the local post office (50p charged for this) - at least we still have our Post Office, unlike that at Forest Hill, which is due to close in February and be relocated upstairs in WH Smith.

intheknow · Post by **intheknow** » 15 Oct 2007 19:52

SUZEE
of course they wont deliver after 7 pm its royal mail and for the record who doers

Suzee · Post by **Suzee** » 17 Oct 2007 11:36

intheknow - i was making the point that getting things re-delivered to a time when you are at home is no good for households who are out of the house all day. Hence why the sorting office is vital - you can pick up parcels on the way to the station or on saturday mornings.....

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Silverdale Sorting/Delivery Office

Silverdale Sorting/Delivery Office