Royal Mail's pledge on delivery office

Royal Mail has assured residents of Newport it has no immediate plans to close the delivery office in the town.

The pledge came in response to a petition sent to the company by concerned residents in February calling for the office to be spared the axe.

Jaquie Stenson, a spokeswoman for Royal Mail, said: "Faced with full competition and declining mail volumes, Royal Mail constantly reviews the operational efficiency and commercial practicality of all its units, but currently we have no firm plans in place for Newport Delivery Office."

The assurance was today welcomed by campaigners in Newport, but they voiced fears that no pledge was forthcoming as to the office's long-term future.

John Evans, spokesman for the Newport campaigners, said: "Surely it is time to come clean with the staff and public."

Newport Town councillors have in the past branded any moves to axe the office in the High Street as "outrageous".

They said closure would leave postal workers having to travel to Telford each day to collect mail for their rounds.

The loss of the Newport delivery office would also mean residents having to travel to Oakengates to pick up undelivered mail or pay at least £1 to collect it from Newport Post Office.