"Thin end of the wedge" – Joyce Watson comment following public meeting on Fishguard Sorting Office

Following Wednesday evening’s public meeting at St Mary’s Church Hall, Fishguard to discuss next month’s planned closure of Fishguard Sorting Office, Pembrokeshire-based Assembly Member Joyce Watson AM said:
“The fear is that this is the thin edge of the wedge.
“This is another decision threatening jobs and services in rural areas, coming immediately on the back of the threat to coastguard services.
“Tenby sorting office has already been sold and is now rented by Royal Mail and there are considerable concerns that other sorting offices in the county now look vulnerable, including Milford Haven and Narberth.
“Feelings were very high at the meeting, and I hope that local Tories Stephen Crabb MP and Paul Davies AM, along with the Royal Mail managers, decide to attend and answer questions at the next public meeting, rather than sending a letter justifying this decision, as Mr Crabb did last night.
“Royal Mail have admitted the move will “impact” on the town, yet they plan to go ahead. Delivery operations will move at the end of October, traditionally the busiest time of year for the mail carriers.
“Staff have said they are concerned that once they are absorbed into the Haverfordwest office their jobs will be under threat. They are also concerned about journey times of the daily 32-mile round-trip and the environmental impact of the move.
“This also impacts on customers. With this transfer of mail operations, the new pick-up location for customers in the SA42, SA64 and SA65 postcode areas will now be Fishguard Post Office, meaning it will take many customers more time to collect their items.
“Don’t let them think that people in Pembrokeshire don’t care – they do, and I promise to be at the forefront, standing alongside the workers and community in yet another fight to protect vital and much valued jobs and services.”