TOMORROW at the Welsh Assembly the county's AM and MP will meet Royal Mail chiefs to continue their fight to save Usk's sorting office.

The Royal Mail came under fire at a public meeting in Usk recently where more than 200 people packed in to hear their reasons for the decision to close the 'much needed' sorting office next year.

Local postman Simon Thomas said, "The Royal Mail directors didn't come to the public meeting with the relevant ammunition. They have been taken aback a bit by the situation and support for the sorting office.

"There were easily 200 people that I counted and the hall was so full people even had to leave. As I said, the powers that be have been taken aback by the strength of following in the area about this.

"It was established that the 'problem' isn't about health and safety, as originally stated by Royal Mail, it's commercial. Despite requests from members of the public, they refused to reveal the financial details but subsequently relented and agreed to meet with the AM and MP."

Other issues raised by the public at the meeting included parking congestion, environmental impacts and service of mail in the area.

Mr Thomas added, "Hopefully David Davies and Nick Ramsay will champion the argument."

There's already been a 1,000-named petition, collected in just four days, calling for Royal Mail to reconsider relocating workers to Pontypool in January.

Representatives from Royal Mail, joined Usk Mayor Alec Leathwood and Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay and MP David Davies at the meeting at the Memorial Hall recently.

Dozens said the decision was shameful and ill-thought out while many raised concerns about congestion in Usk and the negative impact on the environment if postmen have to travel further to deliver mail.

Mr Thomas said the majority of concerns raised suggested that the merger could lead to a poorer service in rural areas and late postal delivery.

Mr Davies, who chaired the meeting after being inundated with letters of concern, pledged to meet Royal Mail chiefs. He said, "I want Royal Mail to understand how strongly people feel and I will take it up with the highest level at Royal Mail," he said.

Mr Ramsay added that the community highly values the sorting office and that the benefits of keeping it open far outweighed the financial savings made by relocating.

Mr Ramsay told the Chronicle after the meeting, "The fight to save the Usk Sorting Office continues and I am working with the Member of Parliament to make sure our views are known at the highest level.

"Royal Mail has agreed to our urgent request for a further meeting at which I will be arguing the case to retain this valuable community asset.

"So many of our rural services have already been chipped away and I am not prepared to stand by and watch yet another fall by the wayside."