Success for MP's as Cornwall's collection times move later

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 14th Jun 2007

Dan Rogerson campaigning for Cornwall's postal services

A letter received this morning to the House of Commons office of North Cornwall's MP, Dan Rogerson, confirms success for his campaign for later collection times from Cornish post boxes.

The local Liberal Democrat MP first made representations to Postcomm in October 2006 when it was proposed that some 'final' collection times could be moved to as early as 6.30am.

Mr Rogerson wrote to Royal Mail boss, Adam Crozier, saying,

"It is simply unacceptable to marginalise our communities and businesses still further by removing de facto their ability to communicate by letter, at reasonable speed, with the rest of the United Kingdom."

Royal Mail said at the time that it was unable to give details of all the post boxes in Cornwall and their collection times, "without considerable effort". The local MP pressed postal services watchdog Postcomm to provide information on the changes made following his representations, and the regulator has provided that information today.

It shows that of the 274 changes to final collection times in Cornwall, only one resulted in an earlier collection, while the others all saw collection times get later. Postcomm has now demanded that Royal Mail review all 7000 UK post boxes with a collection time earlier than 12 noon.

The review will take place over the course of July and August, with changes expected to be implemented in September.

Mr Rogerson has been campaigning to maintain Cornwall's postal service, fighting against early 'final' collections and supporting local Post Offices. Commenting, he said,

"Of course I'm extremely pleased that Royal Mail has listened to local concerns and moved collection times in the right direction.

"What is shocking, however, from the information I've been sent is just how many postboxes were being emptied before 9am in the past. Still the 274 postboxes to which Postcomm has drawn my attention are all collected before noon.

"I have written to our local "Postwatch" to see if they can provide me with details of the rest of Cornwall's 2000 postboxes.

"Meanwhile, there's further good news from Postcomm, who have told Royal Mail that 'final' collections should always be after 12 noon, unless there is very good reason for them to be earlier.

"We must get answers on the extent of this problem - and press Royal Mail to make further changes for Cornwall."