Calls to keep postman on bikes!
By newtonnews | Thursday, April 15, 2010, 11:20
The county council is calling for Royal Mail to reconsider its plans to phase out some of its fleet of delivery bicycles.
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Keep posties on their bikes.
The Royal Mail is considering replacing bicycles in Devon with diesel vans and trolleys, but the authority has agreed to ask them to think again.
Councillor Stuart Hughes said that he was alerted to Royal Mail's plans when he was approached by concerned local Posties.
He said: ”I understand the reason for scrapping the bicycles that is being given by Royal Mail's Chief Executive Adam Crozier is that they pose the wider safety risk associated with busy street networks, where the rider is exposed to greater risk than other vehicle users.
“I believe that this is complete poppy **** as on Royal Mail's own website bicycle accidents come in fifth place behind 1, slips, trips and falls, 2, animal attacks, 3, stepping on/striking against something and, 4, lifting and handling.
“Devon is one of the safest, if not the safest county for cycling and we are encouraging more people to take up this healthy environmentally friendly mode of transport, not just for relaxation, but also for getting to and from work and so I do hope that we can persuade Royal Mail to reconsider its proposals.
“My fear is that this could be the thin edge of the wedge and could lead to the closure of some of our rural sorting offices.”
Comments
The Royal Mail as a whole is very dated and this shows it.
By newton_habbit at 13:36 on 16/04/10
ReportDoes seem rather strange at a time when we are going to great lengths and expense to increase and improve our cycleways to encourage more people to use bicycles.
Reducing the use of bicycles can only lead to more use of vehicles with the resultant increase of pollution i.e. healthy environment reduced and carbon footprint increased.
Without consideration for others, the Royal Mail, will probably end up doing what it wants anyway just like it's done/doing with post offices with the resultant increase in traffic because we have to travel further to get to our nearest post office.
What they should be doing is encouraging and sponsoring more cycle paths to reduce the danger from road traffic.
Thinking about it; the Royal Mail doesn't appear to care about the environment. Yet another reason to have the 'Royal' taken away.
By AlexTLF at 17:12 on 15/04/10
ReportRidiculous health and safety strikes again!
By bigsteve2009 at 13:50 on 15/04/10
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