Mark has raised with Royal Mail the problems caused for residents in Leith and other areas in North Edinburgh by the relocation of the its delivery office for the EH6, EH7 and EH8 areas from Brunswick Road (off Leith Walk) to Portobello.

He said:

“From July the delivery office moved from Brunswick Road [seen opposite] to East Telferton Industrial Estate in Portobello; in other words from the centre of the area that it serves to a considerable distance outside it. Even though I am the local MP, I was not consulted about this change. I believe Royal Mail should have made more efforts to keep the service in the Leith or Leith Walk area, either in Brunswick Road or at another local facility,

“I immediately realised once I knew about this decision that it would cause considerable inconvenience to residents who needed to pick up mail which for some reason or another was not delivered to their home address. Because most of the houses and flats in the areas affected are in tenements, it is quite common for mail to have to be taken back to the delivery office for later collection by the person to whom the mail is addressed.”
 
“Since July, I have received number of complaints from local people about the inconvenience the change has caused them. For example, for pensioners, the new site is some way from a convenient bus route and in a secluded area which can feel unsafe.”

“I have had meetings with, and also written, to Royal Mail about this issue. I have urged them to make sure that the alternative redelivery methods which they have promised are widely publicised, and fully available. However, the only real solution in my view is for the public office facilities to be brought back to the area which they serve. I would like the office to move back into an area in or at least nearer Leith and Leith Walk.”

“I have urged Royal Mail to look at this possibility for the near future, even if it cannot be done immediately.”