Bridgwater postmen claim bosses are forcing them to give up their bicycles and deliver mail in vans instead.

Royal Mail confirmed it was moving from bikes to vans to ‘take the weight off staff’s backs’ and ‘reduce cycling accidents’ among its staff – but denied bikes were being phased out in Bridgwater completely.

But angry posties in the town delivered warnings of job cuts and environmental problems.

Phil Greenslade, a Communication Workers Union representative at Bridgwater’s sorting office, told the Mercury: “They said we have to stop delivering mail on bikes and use vans instead.

“I think it is bad news – it’s hardly good for the environment is it?

“They have reasoned it by suggesting it is for health and safety purposes but I think they are just saying that. We could lose jobs over this.”

Royal Mail confirmed it was looking to switch to vans and trolleys but said it was not getting rid of bikes altogether in the town.

A spokesman said: “Royal Mail is making a number of changes in delivery methods as part of a £2bn modernisation of its entire operation.

“In making these changes we remain absolutely committed to becoming a greener organisation, and all the improvements we are making will help us in our aim of achieving a 34% reduction in carbon emissions by 2015.”