MOVING a Royal Mail delivery office that has served South Woodford for 60 years would be a “massive blow”, locals fear.

This week the company has revealed its sorting office in Marlborough Road could be moved three and a half miles to Station Road in Chingford.

Although it claims people who miss their post in South Woodford will now benefit from longer opening hours at its Chingford site, one employee has branded the move “a very sad day”.

The depot worker said: “Everybody in this office has always put the customer first.

“So nearly everyone who comes in here turns around and says what a good job we’re doing and what a great office it is.

“That’s all going to change when we go to Chingford.”

The employee, who did not want to be named, claims the move would mean huge inconveniences for customers and businesses.

He is also worried the 30/40-minute rush hour commute from Chingford to South Woodford will mean businesses do not get their post on time and become less efficient.

He said: “It doesn’t matter where you live in South Woodford, you will still only be a 15 or 20 minute walk away from this office.

“But if it goes to Chingford, elderly people, the disabled, and people without cars are going to really struggle to get there.

“Sometimes we get people call up who have just come out of hospital and can’t get down here to pick up their post, so we deliver it to their door.

“Little personal touches like that will go out the window if we move.”

Church End Cllr Tom McLaren echoed his concerns.

He said: “The closure would be a massive blow to local residents, especially the elderly, families, and the less mobile.

“I used to live on Marlborough Road, so I know how useful it was for my neighbours and I to have local access to the delivery office.”

A Royal Mail spokesman said “nothing has been decided”, but it is in talks with the Communication Workers Union (CWU) about the possible relocation.

They added customers and staff would “benefit” from better parking facilities in Chingford and there would be no job losses involved in the move.

But after the relocation of the Woodford Green and Loughton sorting offices to Debden last year, the South Woodford office worker fears people will be “up in arms”.

He said: “They call it the way forward, but this is a very, very sad day for South Woodford.

“Royal Mail isn’t a service anymore, it’s a business owned by shareholders who only care about making money.

“I just feel sad for all the people here it’s going to affect.”

Do you live in South Woodford? Worried about what the changes will mean for you and your neighbours?

Call our reporter Lara Keay on 07768 507739 or email lara.keay@london.newsquest.co.uk.