This article is from page 19 of the 2006-06-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
AN POST say a new sorting office opened yesterday in Ennis will improve postal services in the region.
The new custom-built delivery services unit officially opened for business yesterday. Located on the Gort Road, it will handle incoming mail for Ennis and the majority of the Clare area.
However, internal post within Clare will still have to be sent to a regional sorting office in Cork before being distributed within Clare.
The new facility has been fitted out to enable postal staff to handle increased mail volumes and delivery points, and will stand on 10,000 square feet, which will allow for future expansion of delivery addresses in Ennis. Approximately 80,000 items of mail will transit through the new Delivery Services Unit every day.
“It will improve the service in terms of the numbers handled. It’s primarily for the Ennis area but will be used to distribute throughout Clare. Given the high quantities of mail handled then, mail will still have to be sent to one of the larger centres before returning to Ennis,” a spokesperson for An Post said.
An Post are occupying the Gort Road site on a long-term lease and have invested significantly in capital. The fit-out of the new premises includes modern sorting equipment and delivery services accommodation, security systems, communications infrastructure and improved staff welfare facilities. The new premises are accessible to large vehicles and have dedicated parking facilities for both customer and company vehicles. There will also be improved mail collection facilities and physical PO Boxes available to all box holders.
An Post have denied that technical problems delayed the opening of the centre. Delivery delays in September and October of last year in the Ennis area were the source of much frustration to local residents and the business community.
“This is an extremely important development for the Ennis area and it will enable An Post to maintain an efficient and reliable service and satisfy the long-term needs of both staff and customers,” said Eoin Morgan, An Post Director of Collection and Delivery.