Royal Mail Announces �10m Relocation Plan

21st March 2006:

Royal Mail has announced a �10 millon total relocation package. Its Parcelforce Worldwide depot, Vehicle Workshop and other niche business activities will be moving from the 10.5 acre site in West Bay Road, at the Port of Southampton, to new modern premises.

"Unfortunately West Bay Road can no longer serve the needs of our operations," explained Patrick Dempsey of Royal Mail Property Holdings. "The new facilities will be fit for purpose, will improve the working environment and importantly will help to make our services more efficient and better for customers."

A total of 245 staff currently work in the three main buildings occupying the West Bay Road site.

In May, the 100 staff employed by Parcelforce Worlwide and 25 staff working in an associated operation, will be moving from the premises the business currently occupies, to a 4,658 sq metre modern development just off the M27 at Fareham.

Bringing the whole Parcelforce parcels operation under one roof, the site will provide a better reception for customers - at West Bay Road it is in a stand alone temporary building - and, it will allow for the indoor loading of vans.

Eric Appleby, Parcelforce Worldwide Depot manager said: "The new site at Kites Croft is a great opportunity for Parcelforce in Southampton. It will bring improved working conditions for our staff, a more welcoming environment for our customers and a more efficient operation for the business."

Royal Mail Vehicle Services, which employs 20 staff, will move to a new 1,148 metre site at Marchwood toward the end of the year. Construction work on the new facility is set to start in May.

Other Royal Mail operations also located in West Bay Road employing a total of 100 staff will be relocating to Marchwood (80 staff) and Northfield Farm, Twyford (20 staff).

Relocation of all operations is purely intended to improve facilities and operational efficiency.

Royal Mail has retained a presence in West Bay Road in the Port of Southampton since the 1960s. Original activities included a port rail link and integrated mail services for international mail coming through the docks.

A mechanised parcel office, and mail centre once occupied the site, but these were moved to better facilities some years ago.

For further information please contact the Royal Mail Press Office by email: [[email protected]].