A popular postie, described as a “local hero” by residents, is being moved from his round to the dismay of dozens of people in Leeds.
Around 25 residents from Methley and Mickletown, in south east Leeds, reacted angrily to news that their much-loved delivery man of 14 years will no longer be passing on their letters and packages.
Their postman Alan Crosbie is being moved to another area due to Royal Mail route changes, which are being put in place at the Garforth Delivery Office and across the UK.
June Fender, 58, who is secretary of Methley and Mickletown Residents Association, said: “I would think he’s a local hero as he goes out of his way to deliver – at my house in particular, he’s climbed over the garden wall to deliver for me and gone far and beyond the call of duty. [Royal Mail] seem to have a policy that they don’t want people to back local heroes, which I think is an appalling thing to see.”
She joined a number of other angry residents at Mickletown Post Office, in Main Street, Methley, to protest against Mr Crosbie’s change of location on Friday – they believe he doesn’t want to move.
The news that an “unknown colleague” would take over the role spread to members of the residents association at a meeting last Monday, sparking an angry response.
Ms Fender, who has lived in Methley for 12 years, said: “They were upset once they knew – they didn’t understand why somebody who worked well and that people knew should be moved on for no good reason.”
She said that she always knows when Mr Crosbie is away as her mail is often handed to a similar address half a mile away and vice versa.
Coun James Lewis (Lab, Kippax and Methley) said: “I can understand their concerns, postal workers are people you see every day. I hope Royal Mail can still listen to a village like Methley on things like this, we know how people in Methley value local services.”
Royal Mail spokeswoman Morag Turnbull said: “There is an agreed process for postmen and women to determine their delivery rounds but we can assure customers that all our staff are trained to the same high standards and quality of service will be maintained.”
She said changes to services in Methley and Garforth are aimed to make the service “more efficient”.
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