POST OFFICE PROPOSALS ARE A REAL BLOW TO NORTH DEVON
May 21, 2008 10:05 AM
Following news that six local Post Offices are due to close and another seven due to become 'outreach' services under Post Office plans for the network, local MP Nick Harvey has expressed concern over the impact this will have on rural communities and has urged his constituents to take part in the public consultation.
The six Post Offices earmarked for closure are Barbrook, Bishops Tawton, Combe Martin, Goodleigh, Ilfracombe and Lynmouth, with seven more at Bishops Nympton, Bratton Fleming, Burrington, Chittlehamholt, Rackenford, West Buckland and West Down due to become outreach services.
Commenting on the proposals, local MP Nick Harvey said:
"The proposed closure and outreach programme is a real blow to North Devon.
Post Offices are of economic and social importance in rural areas and our local communities rely heavily on the services they provide. These changes will be felt acutely across the region.
Though the Post Office has made an attempt to reduce the impact on services with an 'outreach' solution, this will be barely a service with a dramatic reduction in opening hours meaning some Post Offices will be open only 3 or 4 hours a week.
Furthermore, without an extensive transport infrastructure to complement the changes many will now have to travel several miles to their nearest branch.
I urge everyone to take part in the public consultation and have their say in the future of our local postal services"
Further Information
The public consultation is currently in progress and is open until Monday 30th June. If people would like to give their views about the future of the postal services please write to Tim Nickolls the Network Development Manager at the following address:
Tim Nickolls,
Network Development Manager,
C/o National Consultation Team
FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM
Email: consultation@postoffice.co.uk
Customer Helpline: 0845722 33 44
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