Post Offices: Poisoned chalice
A GLIMMER of hope has been offered to outraged residents hoping to save rural post offices in our region.
Post Office bosses have told protectors a concerted campaign backed by hard facts and information relating to specific branches will be considered during the consultation period before any final decisions regarding closures are set in stone.
But a packed public meeting at Downham Town Hall on Monday heard that if a sub-post office was saved it would be "highly likely" that another branch in the area would face closure.
South West Norfolk MP Christopher Fraser, who chaired the meeting, told residents from across the county it is vital they use the consultation period productively to ensure Post Office bosses understand the issues facing the region.
He said: "We want to keep our post offices open and there is a lot of hard work to be done.
"If you wish to be part of a campaign you must first discuss it with the post masters so you work with them and not in isolation.
BATTLE ON OUR HANDS
We have a battle on our hands that is worth winning and Norfolk people will not take this lying down.
"This area has had a particularly rough deal and this needs to be reconsidered so we get the service people deserve in rural areas.
"They deserve to have their post office open."
Post Office's external relations manager Melanie Corfield said there was scope to alter which sub-post offices would close if bosses are convinced they have missed something significant.
She added: "The consultation is about which post offices will close.
"For us to change our minds we have to be convinced we have got something wrong. We may have missed a high proportion of elderly people or some transport issues.
"This has changed our minds in other parts of the country, if you can convince us of that we may think again.
"But if we come to the end of the consultation and we change our minds it is highly likely we will look at another post office closure within the same area plan."
Mr Fraser and Post Office representatives heard from a number of concerned residents who raised issues relating to branches in the region.
Marilyn Robinson, representing Southery Parish Council, said customers would face a seven-mile trip to the nearest branch when their village post office closes.
CLLR Frank Sharpe, of Breckland Council, whose daughter runs the post office on Swaffham's London Street, questioned whether the town's remaining branch will be able to cope with customer demands, particularly when new housing developments are built.
Similar concerns were also raised regarding Downham, where two sub-post offices have been earmarked for closure.
Wimbotsham residents spoke of the confusion surrounding the visiting times for the village's proposed outreach service while questions were asked about provision in Sporle when its services are scrapped.
The meeting heard the decision to close 19 sub-post offices in our region was taken among the national backdrop of Post Office Ltd losing 4 million a week, while its customer base has dropped from 28 million to 24 million in the past year.
To have your say in the consultation process send detailed information regarding specific post offices to Laura Tarling, Network Development Manager, c/o National Consultation Team, FREEPOST Consultation Team; email consultation@postoffice.co.uk or call 08457 223344.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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