UK delivery service Royal Mail has been heavily criticised over its plans to close three delivery offices in the Bradford area, with pundits accusing the national parcel delivery company of ignoring the needs of its customers.

A spokesman for the company has confirmed that offices in Shipley, Bingley and Bradford West at Thornton are set to close in the coming months, reports the Bradford Telegraph and Argus.

The move is set to take place this summer as part of a nationwide campaign of modernisation, with all three of the offices being consolidated into one operation carried out from the Bradford North delivery office in Inkersley Road, Bradford.

However, Royal Mail have been hit with fierce criticism for making such a momentous decision without consulting any member of the public, given that tens of thousands of people will be affected by the proposed move.

Baildon parish councillor Debbie Davies wrote to the company in a bid to encourage a degree of public engagement or discussion before the move was decided upon, but was told Royal Mail is under no obligation to consult with the public before making decisions.

"I think it makes Royal Mail sound very arrogant and not at all interested in its customers, which is not good news for local people," warned Ms Davies.

"This will cause inconvenience for elderly people or people with no transport, who will have to go right into Bradford to pick up parcels. It will not make it easy for them."

Royal Mail spokesman Morag Turnbull stressed that consolidation of offices is essential as the company moves forward and attempts to streamline its business and improve its facilities.

The firm's efforts to reorganise its sorting office system have met with criticism in the past. Recently the Milford and West Wales Mercury warned the removal of a sorting office in Milford Haven would leave a void in the local community.

Author:  Paul Burn