Forum Topic

Brentford Sorting Office

I have just heard that the sorting office is to close so our nearest will be Hounslow/Feltham.  The land is to be sold for redevelopment. Another blow for Brentford. No dates given yet

Pat Kingham ● 2150d23 Comments

An almost insane and wasteful way of doing things and little wonder Royal Mail is now pushed into the limelight by other carriers some of whom are part owned by state run mail services from other countries.As it looks as though Syon Park Garden centre will not now become a temporary film production base, This would make an ideal sorting office site.But this is the bigger issue. Massive overdevelopment of flats, a huge demand to prevent people travelling in almost any mode other than foot or bicycle and yet fewer and fewer jobs and work locations in areas where there ought to be employment for ordinary people where walking to work is actually practicable.Almost every small to medium business is going to get priced out or squeezed out from a complete lack of vision and practicality all to suit the myopic vote grabbing policies of the London Mayor and the profits of spiv land dealers and developers.Bad news for everyone except for those on the Gravy Train Orient Express

Raymond Havelock ● 2137d

Some people are not able to wait at home for hours for deliveries.

Joan Adamson ● 2138d

Some people are not online.

Nichols Beard ● 2138d

Just rebook a delivery online, I haven’t picked up a parcel from the sorting office for a long time.

June Lucas ● 2139d

We are told that in the futre we need to make less journeys. Well, to me going to the mail centre in Hanworth is a major journey just to pick up a signed for item if it is even possible. CLEARLY THERE IS NO JOINED UP THINKING. Also remember privatisation, the customer would be king, service, service, service. I dont think so.

Nichols Beard ● 2144d

Vanessa.  Just read about allowing detached house owners to go up 2 storeys without planning permission.  How can a house like that not become flats?  Surely planning permission gives direction so that family houses do not become mini tower blocks of flats. Madness.

Sarah Felstead ● 2145d

More un-affordable flats while the homeless die in increasing numbers on the streets.

Christopher Hugh Dakers ● 2145d

Or, dare we mention it, some council housing for the people who cannot afford the 'affordable housing'.

Vanessa Smith ● 2145d

I don't suppose part of the plans for these sites will include a new gp surgery for all our potential new local residents.

Keith Iddon ● 2145d

Royal Mail will be leaving their current site by June 2021.Apparently RM have searched the local area for alternative properties but have not found any deemed suitable.The most likely alternative is a move to the Jubilee Mail Centre in Hounslow / Hanworth border on Godfrey way.The times of deliveries to Brentford and Isleworth should not be affected as the mail would be ready earlier for staff who will not have to wait for lorries to arrive at the depot - all in house. Meaning staff should be able to get out on delivery earlier and then tackle the rush hour traffic via Hounslow but get to their deliveries about normal current time.There is currently no facility to collect items at the mail centre and there is also no parking outside the mail centre - mainly due to the MOD building next door.There is no information yet on if there will even be a facility to collect items at the mail centre.The staff at the Royal Mail depot found out about the proposed move a few weeks ago through family contacts at the mail centre, but it wasn't until last week that we were informed officially by management.There is supposed to be an official press statement released this week to inform the public.Management were aware of the situation in July when the only agreement with the current landlord was to extend the lease to June 2021 but no further.I do wonder if we would even have been told if we hadn't found out for ourselves and pressured management into an announcement.We have also heard the rumors concerning Pets at Home and Majestic as they are the same landlord, the Ford garage on the corner of Field Lane is also going very soon, but i have no idea as to the credibility of those rumors. As and when i hear more i will let people know either through the various Brentford and Islewroth Facebook pages or here.

Martin Webb ● 2145d

To be quite honest I don't think the Tories would do us any favours either, remember it is their government who have made things easier and easier for their big party donors - the property developers. Also there were Tory councillors on the planning committee who frankly are neither use nor ornament.

Vanessa Smith ● 2145d

I'm not surprised. Well, if people insist on voting for them.

Mike Paterson ● 2146d

I do hope the rumour regarding Majestic and Pets At Home is not true.  At this rate, we will have nothing except flats, wind tunnels and commuters.

Cathy Jones ● 2146d

Funnily enough I have just been bemoaning the constant planning applications trying to cram a quart into a pint pot in Isleworth's riverside conservation area. The latest being plans for what was Taylor's hardware shop, in South St. We are fast reaching the stage where we now think it is not worth us raising objections anymore. Our last foray was The George (former pub) where our detailed objections were dismissed out of hand by councillors on the planning committee.

Vanessa Smith ● 2146d

Yes, I heard that through various forums on Facebook of the 'a postie told me' type so thought would wait a bit. But this does appear to have legs. I understand that the big pet store and Majestic are going the same way. Our beloved Brentford is being turned into a proper hell-hole. Even our football club will be virtually in Chiswick.We are Hounslow Council's ginger step-child and no mistake.

Mike Paterson ● 2146d

The house used as the 'site office' stands empty and neglected still - I was told it would be the first to be refurbished starting end of July! Seems the contractor is not responding to Hounslow but more assurances things would start to happen at the end of last week - nope!House opposite me - Hounslow have been working on it since Easter! Ought to be ready by now - God alone knows why there is such a hold up. Also this house should get the refurb. and why this hasn't been done while empty is beyond explanation. They'd rather let it and then disrupt the tenant. Another is being used as a temporary decant property. My elderly neighbour has finally got the go ahead for the move to a sheltered unit, so that will be another family house vacant - I shall be watching......

Vanessa Smith ● 2147d

That's a real shame.Another local resource gone. If I miss a parcel and the postie leaves a note, a nice long journey within the restricted hours of the its opening.On another note, Pocahontas once lived in a dwelling on this site I believe.

Keith Iddon ● 2147d

Vanessa I see that Lead Cllr Lily Bath, responsible for housing within the borough,  features large in the new issue of the publicity booklet Hounslow Matters.  Oh she just love building homes for the needy, providing homes for the homeless etc etc etc ad nausium!  What about the empty houses near you - are they still awaiting refurbishment and filling with just such needy families?

Jennifer Selig ● 2147d

While government's constantly make it easier for developers to keep building this is what will happen and local planning authorities just can't win a lot of the time. There is no requirement for infrastructure to be in place or be part of development plans but instead more and more pressure is put on existing facilities. I do think though in the case of Brentford, the council perhaps could have tried harder with Ballymore - I see they have lots of posh names lined up - 'The Lanes' - The Apartments' - but where are the homes for local people? They even have the cheek to have a bit on the history of the area - which they are going to build all over.

Vanessa Smith ● 2147d

Agree this is a real blow.  My post might now arrive early evening instead of early afternoon!  What we don't need is more flats.  I am so frustrated at being told there is nothing that can be done.  At this rate, Brentford will be providing all of Greater London's housing new-build but no new doctors' surgeries, NHS dentists, schools, community centres, shops large and small, old people's homes, arts centres or theatres - what makes a true, vibrant community.

Cathy Jones ● 2147d

So more new flats or houses for Brentford which is all that they seem to want to build in Brentford. What a crap place Brentford is becoming. #Getoutifyoucan

Stephen Scott ● 2149d

How convenient.

Vanessa Smith ● 2150d

Apparently it’s going to the big mail & parcel centre at the Hanworth Road by 2021, so I understand.

Robin Dickers ● 2150d