Copperas Hill sorting office to close

Aug 5 2008

Empty collection vans outside the Royal Mail depot at Copperas Hill, Liverpool _320

ROYAL Mail this afternoon announced plans to close Liverpool’s Copperas Hill sorting centre and move work to Warrington by next year.

Unions said they will now consult their members and could ballot for industrial action.

About 800 people work at Copperas Hill, 600 sorting staff and 200 on deliveries.

Communication Workers Union Liverpool branch secretary Mark Walsh said today: “That means there will be 600 jobs not based in Liverpool any more.”

Royal Mail plans to move sorting from Liverpool to Warrington 11 years ago were defeated after a campaign by the Echo, unions, councillors and MPs.

But the company began a review of all its north west sorting centres in mid-February this year and Mr Walsh added: “It is no surprise because it is a plan they wanted 11 years ago, anyway.”

He admitted: “Probably the worst thing we did was keep Copperas Hill open, we should have called for a new building first.

“Royal Mail must be the only company that is not re-investing in the city.