An Post sorting office in North Mayo will remain open

A sorting office from An Post in North Mayo will remain at its original location.

The facility in Barnatra, close to Belmullet, was meant to amalgamate into a new central facility in Ballina. But it's now been confirmed by An Post, that this plan won't go ahead.

An Post commented: "Having considered the move in the light of overall changes to the mail’s infrastructure in the North West the decision was taken this week to continue operating from its mails facility in Barnatra."

The initial plan to close the sorting office had led to a backlash from local councillors and TDs.

For example, Sinn Féin TD for Mayo, Rose Conway-Walsh, slammed An Post’s proposal to require postal workers serving the Erris area to collect mail from the newly opened Ballina depot.

The change would have meant that the 13 postal workers who deliver across the Erris region would have to undertake a two-hour 100-mile plus round trip each day just to collect the day’s post before even starting their deliveries.

Speaking at a meeting with the postal workers in Barnatra in November, Deputy Conway-Walsh said:

“This proposal from An Post is completely unworkable, unsafe and socially damaging. It makes absolutely no sense to ask postal workers to drive more than 100 miles every day just to collect the mail before they even begin their deliveries. That’s at least a two-hour round trip added to every day’s work."

Another Mayo TD, Keira Keogh from Fine Gael, said: “Consistent representation and engagement highlighted the importance of maintaining services and employment in this rural area. I am pleased that An Post has listened to these concerns."

Keogh's party colleague, Mayo County Councillor Gerry Coyle, added: “Common sense has prevailed."

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