THE Office of Utility Regulation will rigorously defend its decision to reduce Guernsey Post’s monopoly, according to its director-general.

John Curran made the comment yesterday after Guernsey Post announced it would appeal the OUR’s decision in the Royal Court.

‘The OUR has been provided with notice of Guernsey Post’s appeal of the decision to reduced the reserved area and to block its implementation, thus restricting competition and denying consumers choice,’ he said.

Mr Curran (pictured) said the regulator’s decision on the reserved area was fair, balanced and proportionate and remained the best outcome for the Guernsey postal market.

The States-owned utility lodged the application on Monday in an effort to stop the OUR reducing its monopoly over all types of mail costing less than £1.35 to post to letters and large letters costing under £1.

Guernsey Bulk Mailers’ Association president Rodney Brouard was disappointed by news of the appeal.

He said the majority of association members believed that if Guernsey Post’s prices remained competitive, there would be no reason to use other operators.

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