Perthshire Conservatives Councillor Bob Brawn and Murdo Fraser MSP have raised concerns over the removal of Rural Carriage of Services of Royal Mail, which comes into effect on June 30.
Both politicians feel this move will have a detrimental impact on village shops and local residents in rural areas, especially for elderly and infirm people.
Commenting, Councillor Brawn, who represents the Blairgowrie and the Glens ward, said: “For years, Royal Mail have operated a Rural Carriage of Goods Service not only in Scotland but all over the UK. This provides essential goods, such as milk, bread and vegetables, along with newspapers to people, often vulnerable people, living in rural areas. Many are elderly and infirm and/or disabled and this service is essential.
“This has never been a free service - all businesses utilising it have had to pay a monthly fee so it is difficult to understand why there is a sudden need to withdraw the facility. The businesses that utilise this service will obviously suffer as demand for newspapers and goods will fall but it is the customer, many of whom have no car or cannot drive, who are going to suffer the most. We seem to be once again witnessing profit before people. Serving the public is only available as long as it doesn’t affect the bottom line.”
And Mr Fraser added: “I am very concerned about the impact of this decision by the Royal Mail. This is why I have written to both the Royal Mail and the UK Government to seek further answers on the move to remove the Rural Carriage of Goods Service. Our concern is that in rural areas, many recipients of this service are elderly, infirm and/or disabled. And some do not have the use of a car. As a consequence, this service is vital to them.
“I am also concerned to be told that there appears to be little, or no consultation on this decision. I have written to the Royal Mail and Kevin Hollinrake, Minister of State in the Department of Business and Trade, to ask what, if anything, can be done to address these concerns.”
