Royal Mail has confirmed that the relocation of their delivery operations at Tenby to their new, purpose-built Narberth delivery office at Unit 18, Rushacre Enterprise Park, Redstone Road, will go ahead on February 18.

This follows discussions with the CWU and people in both offices. Discussions are also continuing with regard to the proposed relocation of Whitland delivery office to Narberth.

Narberth delivery office moved to the new site in October last year.

“This represented a significant investment in Royal Mail’s operations in the area,” said Sally Hopkins, senior external relations manager. “The new purpose-built office in Narberth has been designed to meet our operational requirements and offer better facilities for our customers and our people. The site features a hedge bank on two sides to help reduce the impact of the building on our neighbours and blend in with surrounding farmland. The exterior lighting is fitted with sensors to dim the lights during operational hours if no movement is detected, and timers to switch them off outside operating hours. Half of the vehicle parking spaces are covered in a permeable surface rather than tarmac to let rain water drain away naturally rather than divert it to a drainage system.

“The new building has a number of features to help reduce our energy consumption and the amount of carbon dioxide generated. These include rooflights to increase natural daylight in the building, LED lights throughout the building fitted with movement sensors to minimise electricity consumption, as well as hot air hand dryers in the toilets instead of paper towels and recycling centres for our staff to reduce waste on site.

“This is part of Royal Mail’s ongoing transformation of its business to increase the efficiency of its operation as well as providing delivery offices which are fit for purpose for our people and for our customers,” she continued.

“As a commercial business, Royal Mail is responding to the huge growth in electronic communications and decline in letter volumes, while seeing a high volume of parcels and online shopping which need to be delivered to customers.”

What it means for customers

“When Tenby delivery office moves to the new site, there will be no impact on deliveries to customers. The same postmen and women will continue to serve their local communities, delivering a high quality service to customers.

If Tenby customers choose to collect mail because they were not at home when it was tried to be delivered, they will be able to do this from Tenby Post Office, Warren Street. It will be open seven days a week from 8.30 am - 7.30 pm. This is significantly longer than the customer service point at the current Tenby delivery office.

Customers do not need to collect their mail from if they are not able to or do not want to do so. Royal Mail can now leave many mail items with a neighbour if customers are not at home when we attempt delivery. Customers can nominate a dedicated neighbour to take in their parcels by filling in a form at their delivery office.

Customers can also arrange a redelivery free of charge on a day that is convenient for them (including Saturdays), or Royal Mail can deliver the item to a different address within the same postcode area. This service can be arranged by calling the number on the ‘Something for You’ card which is left or by visiting the website at www.royalmail.com/redelivery.

• There will be no job losses as a result of this relocation.