“Disappointment” as Edinburgh Royal Mail delivery office set to relocate with current office in “disrepair”, according to union

THE Royal Mail Edinburgh South Delivery Office in Morningside is set to relocate to the City Delivery Office near Murrayfield as the existing building is described as unfit for purpose. 

Local Conservative councillor Marie-Clair Munro was quick to express her consternation at the move, describing it as “deeply disappointing” and a “significant concern” for locals. 

The move was initially slated for 20 October, but it has been pushed back due to Royal Mail’s commitment to providing the Communication Workers Union (CWU) with 28 days’ notice, and will now take place on 27 October. 

The CWU has supported the move, saying that the current building is not fit for purpose and emphasised that the new office will only be a 12-minute drive away from the old one. 

Councillor Marie-Clair Munro said that she recently received an update on the relocation from Royal Mail. 

The service told her about the move being pushed back in line with Royal Mail’s obligations to the CWU to provide workers with their statutory 28 days’ notice. 

She claimed that the move was a pressing concern for locals, who reportedly feel “strongly” that the move will weaken a vital local service. 

In a statement posted to Facebook on Monday, she said: “The relocation, originally scheduled earlier, has now been pushed back to Monday, 27 October. 

“This delay ensures Royal Mail meets its legal obligation to give employees 28 days’ notice in line with their agreement with the Communication Workers Union (CWU). Staff have now been formally informed of this new date.” 

She added: “While I appreciate the update from Royal Mail it’s deeply disappointing that the closure is still going ahead — especially given the significant concern from local residents and the impact this will have on the community.  

“Many feel strongly that this move will reduce access and weaken a vital local service. 

Councillor Munro made no mention of the claim that the current office is in “disrepair” and the fact that the move has the support of the union. 

A spokesperson for CWU’s Scotland No. 2 Branch, which covers postal workers in Edinburgh, said: “We are supporting the move because of the state of the existing building – it’s pretty much falling into disrepair. 

“The test that we’ve done, It’s [the new building] about a 12 minutes’ drive away from the original office. 

“And the original office, obviously the guys are loading and unloading vans on a main road – so it’s not the safest spot and it’s pretty difficult for our drivers from the mail centre to unload and load the bigger vehicles full of mail.” 

He added: “It was only recently decided that we were in support of the move, after our health and safety official went down and did tests on the journey from the old office to what’s going to be the new office.” 

Ian Murray, Edinburgh South MP and former Secretary of State for Scotland, weighed in on the issue last month, saying he found the news of the office’s planned closure “shocking”. 

Once Murray heard of Royal Mail’s plans in 2024, he started a petition, which garnered over 1,700 signatures, to save the Strathearn Road office. 

In a letter to constituents late last month, Murray said: “Today, I received the shocking news that Royal Mail intend to close the Strathearn Road Delivery Office on 20 October. 

“In January 2024 I heard of plans to close the office from local posties, residents and the community council. 

“After three months of writing letters and 1,700 signatures on my petition (and even showing up at Royal Mail HQ in London to deliver it!), Royal Mail wrote to me to confirm that the delivery office would remain open and that there were ‘no current plans to close it’. 

“I know that many residents regularly use the collection service as they are at work during the day when letters and parcels are delivered. 

“If this goes ahead, residents may have to travel as far as Murrayfield (to the Edinburgh City Delivery Office on Russell Road) to collect undelivered items. 

“This will be an enormous inconvenience for residents, and I’m also very concerned about what it means for older people and those with mobility issues, who may not be able to get around as easily.” 

Murray’s petition and campaigning seem to have been in vain, however, as the plans to relocate have received the backing of the main postal workers’ union. 

The City Delivery Office is approximately 43 minutes away by foot from the Edinburgh South Delivery Office – according to Google Maps. 

Royal Mail and Councillor Marie-Clair Munro have been approached for comment.

Related