TWEEDDALE’S MP has slammed a Royal Mail decision to close a sorting office, describing it as “very bad news”.

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A spokesperson for the postal company confirmed that its Biggar operation was being ‘relocated’ around 12 miles away in Lanark.

David Mundell, the MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, voiced concerns that the move would leave rural residents with a “60-mile round journey to pick up a package”.

The Conservative representative said: “This is very bad news for postal customers in Biggar and for local postal workers, all of whom now face longer journeys to access the sorting office in Lanark.

“The geographical size of the ML12 6 postcode covered by the Biggar sorting office, stretching from Tweedsmuir in the Scottish Borders to Wanlockhead in Dumfries & Galloway, is very large.

“There are countries smaller in size than what is covered in this vast rural part of the south of Scotland for which Biggar and not Lanark is the hub.

“There are no direct transport links for people in most of this area to Lanark and some now face a 60-mile round journey to pick up a package.”

Mr Mundell said constituents had expressed fears that the decision would result in later postal deliveries across the area, which could impact small businesses.

He added: “While the existing premises might not be ideal, I do believe that a solution focused on the needs of customers rather than the Royal Mail could have seen alternative arrangements put in place within Biggar.

“This decision is bad for Biggar and bad for my constituents, and I am calling on the Royal Mail to at the very least take steps to mitigate its impact given the travel distances involved.”

The Royal Mail said that all posties in Biggar would be supported with any additional travelling costs incurred because of the relocation.

The spokesperson said the move to Lanark would provide “better facilities for our posties and help us provide a better service”.

“Deliveries to Biggar residents will continue as normal, with any items that cannot be delivered on the first attempt scheduled for automatic redelivery the next working day,” they said. “Customers can also choose to have their items delivered to a neighbour, a safe place or their local post office.

“Over 99 per cent of parcels are successfully delivered on the first or second delivery attempt.”

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So many jokes, so little time.