DECISIONS ON POST OFFICE CLOSURES

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Bristol And Somerset Post Office® Area Plan - Outreach service confirmed for Charlton Horethorne
21/10/2008


Post Office Ltd today confirmed that Charlton Horethorne Post Office branch will close on Monday 27 October. The replacement Mobile outreach will operate from Horse Lane (the B3145).

The Mobile service will visit on Mondays between 9.30am and 12.30pm on Tuesday from 2pm to 5pm and on Thursday from 9.30am to 12.30pm. The replacement service which commences on Tuesday 28 October means that customers will still be able to access Post Office services locally.

During a further period of local public consultation which ended on 29 September, Post Office Ltd sought feedback on the specific outreach service that would replace Carlton Horethorne branch to ensure that it was appropriate.

The decision to close the branch and replace it with an Outreach solution was reached after public consultation and Postwatch, the consumer body representing Post Office® customers, has verified the correct consultation procedures were followed.

Full details of all the decisions and issues raised during local public consultation in Bristol and Somerset are available by visiting www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or by writing to Post Office Ltd at Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp needed) or by emailing consultation@postoffice.co.uk

Tony Jones, Post Office Ltd’s Regional Development Manager, said: "The decision to close any Post Office branch is difficult and not one that is taken lightly. In the case of Charlton Horethorne branch we are offering a replacement service ensuring that our customers can still access Post Office services locally."

Ends

Issued by Post Office Ltd
Birmingham Mail Centre
St Stephens Street
BIRMINGHAM
B6 4AA

Note to editors

Post Office branches in the following parliamentary constituencies were included in the Bristol and Somerset plan:

Weston-Super-Mare, Woodspring, Bridgwater, Somerton and Frome, Taunton, Wells,
Yeovil, Bath, Wansdyke, Bristol East, Bristol North West, Bristol South, Bristol West,
Kingswood, Northavon

The Government criteria:

Nationally:

• 99% of the UK population to be within 3 miles and 90% of the population to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 99% of the total population in deprived urban areas across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total urban population across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total rural population across the UK to be within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

In addition, for each individual postcode district:

• 95% of the population of the postcode district to be within 6 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

The following branch will close and be replaced by a mobile service.

Charlton Horethorne Post Office, The Village Shop, Charlton Horethorne, SHERBORNE DT9 4NL.
A full list of the branches which will remain open in Bristol and Somerset area plan is available upon request.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Decision Announced On The Future Of Post Office In Greater Manchester
21/10/2008


Post Office Ltd today (Tuesday) announced its decision on the future of Trafford Park Post Office, after a further review of its proposed closure by Postwatch which followed a six-week public consultation ending on 21 July.

This branch, which is located at 450 Third Avenue, will close on a date to be announced in due course.

Its closure was proposed as part of the area plan for Greater Manchester and High Peak which has resulted in the retention of 316 branches and has ensured that 99.2% of the population will see no change to the branch they use or will live within one mile of an alternative outlet.

A spokesman said: "The decision to close Trafford Park Post Office has not been taken lightly. We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation and during the review, but we consider that once the branch closes, customers in the area will still have good access to our services.

"It is situated within the boundaries of a large industrial estate. There are several alternative branches around the periphery of the estate, which provide access to Post Office products and services from all parts of the estate. In total there are 23 branches within a three-mile radius of this post office."

Issued by the Press Office

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Bristol And Somerset Post Office® Area Plan - Outreach service confirmed for North Cadbury
21/10/2008


Post Office Ltd today confirmed that North Cadbury Post Office branch will close on Monday 3 November. The replacement Mobile outreach will operate from outside the current branch in Woolston Road.

The Mobile service will visit on Monday between 1.30pm and 4.30pm, Tuesday 11am and 1pm, Thursday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm and Friday from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. The replacement service which commences on Tuesday 4 November means customers will still be able to access Post Office services locally.

During a further period of local public consultation which ended on 29 September, Post Office Ltd sought feedback on the specific outreach service that would replace North Cadbury branch to ensure that it was appropriate.

The decision to close the branch and replace it with an Outreach solution was reached after public consultation and Postwatch, the consumer body representing Post Office® customers, has verified the correct consultation procedures were followed.

Full details of all the decisions and issues raised during local public consultation in Bristol and Somerset are available by visiting www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or by writing to Post Office Ltd at Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp needed) or by emailing consultation@postoffice.co.uk

Tony Jones, Post Office Ltd’s Regional Development Manager, said: "The decision to close any Post Office branch is difficult and not one that is taken lightly. In the case of North Cadbury branch we are offering a replacement service ensuring that our customers can still access Post Office services locally."

Ends

Issued by Post Office Ltd
Birmingham Mail Centre
St Stephens Street
BIRMINGHAM
B6 4AA

Note to editors

Post Office branches in the following parliamentary constituencies were included in the Bristol and Somerset plan:

Weston-Super-Mare, Woodspring, Bridgwater, Somerton and Frome, Taunton, Wells,
Yeovil, Bath, Wansdyke, Bristol East, Bristol North West, Bristol South, Bristol West,
Kingswood, Northavon

The Government criteria:

Nationally:

• 99% of the UK population to be within 3 miles and 90% of the population to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 99% of the total population in deprived urban areas across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total urban population across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total rural population across the UK to be within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

In addition, for each individual postcode district:

• 95% of the population of the postcode district to be within 6 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

The following branch will close and be replaced by a mobile service.

North Cadbury Post Office branch, Woolston Road, North Cadbury, Yeovil, BA22 7DW branch

A full list of the branches which will remain open in Bristol and Somerset area plan is available upon request.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Network Change Decision Announced For Edinburgh, The Lothians and South of Scotland Post Office® branches
21/10/2008


Post Office Ltd today (October 21) announced decisions on the future of Post Office® branches in Edinburgh, The Lothians and South of Scotland following a six- week public consultation which ended on 29 September.

Post Office® services will be provided through a network of branches, which supports the national accessibility criteria introduced by the UK Government and ensures that 99.6% of Edinburgh, The Lothians and South of Scotland’s population will either see no change to their existing branch or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

The plan confirmed today means that 24 branches will close in Edinburgh, The Lothians and South of Scotland and a further 32 outreach branches will be introduced. The first closures are scheduled to take place in November 2008.

The branch at Calder Crossway in Edinburgh has been withdrawn from the plan and will remain open after Post Office Ltd received strong consultation feedback relating to access to alternative services following the recent withdrawal of a bus route in this part of Edinburgh, making access difficult for customers.

Another branch at Elm Row in Edinburgh has also been withdrawn from the plan and will now remain open following new information received during consultation regarding the proposed redevelopment of the St James Centre - the nearest alternative branch to Elm Row.

While the St James Centre branch can more than cope with extra customers, there were concerns over the potential impact on service during future construction work at the Centre.

Additionally, following the closure of the branch at Rosetta Road, Peebles, Post Office Limited will trial a new Post Office® outlet at the location of the current post office for up to 12 months. Post Office Ltd will be reviewing its performance and usage to determine whether it should remain in the longer term.

In order to ensure that the planned future network can be supported by the available funding from UK Government and meets the criteria it has set, including the requirement that no part of the UK is advantaged or disadvantaged relative to other areas, Post Office Ltd is proposing the closure of a further one branch - Oxgangs, 8 Oxgangs Broadway, Edinburgh EH13 9QL. A six week public consultation on the new proposal will begin on 4 November 2008.

These decisions have been reached after public consultation and Postwatch, the consumer body representing Post Office® customers, has verified the correct consultation procedures were followed.

Full details of the decisions and the issues raised during local public consultation are available by visiting www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or by writing to Post Office Ltd at Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp needed) or by emailing consultation@postoffice.co.uk

During the six week local public consultation, Post Office Ltd received 3532 responses and attended more than 100 meetings with customers and their representatives to understand their concerns. All information provided by customers formed part of the final decision regarding each affected branch.

Sally Buchanan, Post Office Ltd’s Network Development Manager for Scotland, said: "These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly. We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation.

"We believe that the amended plan announced today offers our customers across Edinburgh, The Lothians and the South of Scotland the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future, bearing in mind the UK Government’s minimum access criteria and the other factors it has asked us to consider."

Ends
Issued by
Post Office Ltd:
24hr Press Office:
Tallents House
21 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh
EH12 9PB

Notes to Editors :
Post Offices in the following 12 parliamentary constituencies are included in the Edinburgh, The Lothians and the South of Scotland Area Plan:
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, Dumfries and Galloway, Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, East Lothian, Edinburgh East, Edinburgh North and Leith, Edinburgh South, Edinburgh South West, Edinburgh West, Linlithgow and East Falkirk, Livingston, Midlothian

The following branches will now remain open:
Calder Crossway, 10 Calder Park, Edinburgh, EH11 4JN
Elm Row, 20 Elm Row, Edinburgh, EH7 4AA

The following 24 Post Office® branches will now close as part of the Edinburgh, The Lothians and South of Scotland Area Plan:

Dumfries and Galloway
Lincluden, 40 Lincluden Road, Dumfries DG2 0QB
Sheuchan Street, 59 Sheuchan Street, Stranraer, DG9 0EA

Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Rosetta Road, 1 Wemyss Place, Peebles, EH45 8JT (Post Office Limited will trial a new Post Office® outlet at the location of the current post office following the closure of this branch).

East Lothian
Elphinstone, 3 Main Street, Tranent, EH33 2LT
West Barns, 21a Edinburgh Road, West Barns, Dunbar, EH42 1UH

Edinburgh East
Magdalene Drive, 46 Magdalene Drive, Edinburgh, EH15 3DZ
Nicolson St, Southside Pharmacy, 79 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9BZ

Edinburgh North and Leith
Goldenacre, 20 Montague Terrace, Edinburgh, EH3 5QR
Pilrig Toll, 10 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh, EH6 5PU

Edinburgh South
Warrender Park, 73 Warrender Park Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1ES

Edinburgh South West
Gorgie. 556 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, EH11 3AL
Longstone, Scotmid Co-op, 7 Kingsknowe Road North, Edinburgh, EH14 2BN
Shandon Place, 57 Slateford Road, Edinburgh, EH11 1PR

Edinburgh West
Broomhall, 41 Broomhall Drive, Edinburgh, EH12 7QL (currently temporarily closed)
Cramond, 0 Whitehouse Road, Edinburgh, EH4 6HX
Dalmeny, Main Street, Dalmeny, South Queensferry, EH30 9TU

Linlithgow and East Falkirk
Grangepans, 14 Grangepans, Bo’ness, EH51 9PA
Newton, Main Street, Newton, Broxburn, EH52 6QE

Livingston
Breich, Rashiehill Terrace, West Calder, EH55 8JL
Polbeth, 12-13 Limefield Road, Polbeth, West Calder, EH55 8UD

Midlothian
Carrington, 4 Primrose Gardens, Gorebridge, EH23 4PL
Easthouses, 1 Mayfield Road, Dalkeith, EH22 4DN
Lasswade, 12 High Street, Lasswade, EH18 1ND
Poltonhall, 12 Hopefield Park, Bonnyrigg, EH19 2NE

The following 32 Post Office® branches are proposed for replacement by an outreach solution, precise details of hours and days will be announced as soon as possible:

Ancrum - Hosted service for 4 hours weekly at the current branch premises, the Ancrum Pantry.
Bonchester Bridge - Hosted service for 2 hours weekly at the Horse and Hound Inn.
Bowden - Mobile service for 2 hours weekly, parking at The Square, Bowden.
Eccles - Mobile service for 3 hours weekly parking at Main Street, Eccles.
Greenlaw - Mobile service for 9 hours weekly parking at Duns Road.
Hutton - Mobile service for 2 hours weekly parking at Hutton Village Hall.
Morebattle - Hosted service for 8 hours a week at Templehall Hotel.
Clovenfords - Mobile service for 6 hours a week parking at the car park at Clovenfords Hotel.
Fountainhall - Mobile service for 2 hours a week at Old Stage Road.
Oxton - Mobile service for 3 hours a week parking at Main Street, Oxton.
Heriot - Mobile service for 3 hours weekly parking at Heriot Way.
Balmaclellan - Mobile service for 5 hours weekly. Post Office Limited will review the proposed location of the Mobile service with the local community to help identify whether a more suitable location exists.
Colvend - Mobile service for 5 hours weekly. Post Office Limited will review the proposed location of the Mobile service with the local community to help identify whether a more suitable location exists.
Corsock - Mobile service for 2 hours weekly parking at the car park at the rear of Pringles Bar.
Creetown - Partner service for 41.5 hours weekly at the premises of the current branch.
Dunscore - Hosted service for 6 hours a week at the premises of the current branch at Dunscore Village Shop.
Kirkcowan - Partner service for 38 hours each week from the current location of Post Office® Kirkcowan branch.
Lochfoot - Mobile service for 4 hours weekly parking at the lay-by opposite 12-14 Moat Drive.
Moniaive - Partner service for 28 hours a week at Watson’s Village Store.
Mossdale - Mobile service for 2 hours weekly parking at parking space outside Mossdale Stores.
New Abbey - Mobile service for 9 hours a week . Post Office Limited will review the proposed location of the Mobile service with the local community to help identify whether a more suitable location exists.
Bentpath - Home service.
Boreland - Hosted service for 3 hours weekly at Boreland Village Hall.
Collin - Hosted service for 4 hours weekly at Collin Village Hall.
Ecclefechan - Partner service for 46 hours weekly at Costcutters Store.
Eskdalemuir - Hosted service for 2 hours a week at The Old School Hall.
Glencaple - Hosted service for 5 hours weekly at the premises of the current branch at Glancaple Village Stores.
Drem - Hosted service for 2 hours weekly at the Appin Equestrian Centre. Longer term, Post Office Limited is seeking to relocate the Hosted service to Drem Railway Station and discussions are currently continuing with Network Rail.
Garvald - Hosted service for 2 hours weekly at Garvald Village Hall.
Gifford - Partner service for 72 hours a week at Hoggs the Newsagent.
Innerwick - Hosted service for 2 hours weekly at Innerwick Village Halll.
Stenton - Hosted service for 2 hours weekly at Stenton Village Hall.

The Area plan for Edinburgh, The Lothians and South of Scotland also includes two postcode districts where Post Office Ltd does not meet the access criteria set out in the UK Government’s Response document. These postcode districts are namely:

TD3 - where we propose the introduction of a hosted service at Longformarcus Village Hall for 2 hours a week.
TD7 - where we propose the introduction of a Mobile outreach service operated from Ettrickbridge for 2 hours a week.

The six-week public consultation period on the proposal to close Oxgangs branch will begin on 4 November 2008. All submissions should be received by 15 December 2008.

To express your views write to Sally Buchanan, Network Development Manager
C/O National Consultation Team, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM
By email to: consultation@postoffice.co.uk By phone to: Customer Helpline: 08457 22 33 44
or

Visit www.directenquiries.com. Customers with no internet access can call Direct Enquiries on 01344 360 101 or textphone 01344 457 200 to be sent a copy of the questionnaire.

A full list of the branches which will serve Edinburgh, The Lothians and South of Scotland is available on request.

The UK Government criteria:

Nationally: 99% of the UK population to be within 3 miles and 90% of the population to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

99% of the total population in deprived urban (deprived urban - the most disadvantaged urban parts of the UK based on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation - top 15% Super Output Area in England, 15% of Data Zones in Scotland and 30% of Super Output Areas in Wales and Northern Ireland) areas across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

95% of the total urban (urban - a community with 10,000 or more inhabitants in a continuous built up area) population across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

95% of the total rural (rural - a community not covered by the definition of urban above) population across the UK to be within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.
In addition for each individual postcode district 95% of the population of the postcode district to be within 6 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Post Office network change area plan 4 - branch decision announced
21/10/2008


Post Office Ltd today (October 21, 2008)) announced its decision on the future of Lone Road Post Office branch, Swansea.

Following the conclusion of a six-week local public consultation for the Swansea and West Wales Area Plan which ended on July 14, 2008, Post Office Ltd published the Area Plan decision booklet for Swansea and West Wales. This booklet provided details of Post Office Ltd’s final decisions on the future of Post Office® branches across the Swansea and West Wales area.

As a result of feedback received during the local public consultation, Post Office Ltd amended its proposal by deciding not to proceed with the proposed closures of Carnglas Road and Leonard Street in the original Area Plan and proposed that Lone Road Post Office, 68 Lone Road, Clydach, Swansea, SA6 5HU should be closed.

The local public consultation in relation to this proposed closure concluded on September 29, 2008 and Post Office Ltd has now reached its final decision on the future of this branch and has decided that the branch will close.

The remaining network of 292 branches across the Swansea and West Wales area supports the minimum access criteria prescribed by the Government and ensures that 99.4% of the South and West Wales area will either see no change or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

Steve Geraty, Post Office Ltd’s Network Development Manager said:
"We appreciate that any decision to close a Post Office® branch will often be unpopular. Nevertheless, we have to make decisions to close branches in order to put the Network on a more stable footing for the future and achieve this in a way which best meets the demands and concerns of its customers. This announcement concludes the Network Change programme in this part of Wales. We would now urge residents in the Swansea and West Wales area to make the Post Office their first choice for all their business and social needs to ensure the long term viability of our branches going forward."

After the changes have been implemented, Post Office Ltd will remain the largest retailer by network size in the area, and will still have more branches open than all of the major banks and building societies combined. More than 99% of the population will see no change to the branch that they currently use or would remain within one mile of an alternative outlet. It is very important to us that our customers are kept informed of any changes to the Network and that we provide them with full details of alternative options to enable them to continue to access Post Office services.

Ends

Notes to News Editors:
The Area Plan Proposal for Swansea and West Wales area
In June 2008 as part of the Programme, Post Office Ltd developed and published a local area plan proposal for the Swansea and West Wales area ("the Area Plan Proposal") setting out the changes it proposed to make as part of the implementation of the Government decision to reduce the UK wide network of Post Office branches by up to 2,500 from its current level of more than 14,000 while continuing to provide funding to support a more sustainable network in the future.

The purpose of this local public consultation was to obtain the views on Post Office Limited’s proposals to ensure that the branches that are ultimately selected for closure, or closure and replaced with an Outreach Service, are appropriate. From the outset of the Network Change Programme, Post Office Ltd has made it clear in its communications that the Programme is not designed to provide a forum for debate on whether branches should close, but is about ensuring that Post Office Limited has the best available knowledge to allow it to make the most informed decisions about which branches should close.

The Area Plan Proposal for the South and West Wales area was developed in accordance with the above process. At present the area’s 790,000 residents are served by a total of 331 branches. Usage of Post Office® branches is falling, in line with national trends, as more customers access services at other places, make more use of the internet and have their Government benefits paid directly into bank accounts.

South and West Wales is diverse in nature from the urban, predominantly industrial areas of Bridgend, Port Talbot, Swansea and Neath to the rural, agricultural heartlands of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. 53% of the population live in rural communities and 47% in urban areas.

The needs of those living in communities defined as "deprived" were considered in the Area Plan Proposal, reflecting the specific national criteria set by the Government to give greater safeguards on the accessibility of branches in these communities. Some 31.4% of the area’s total population live in deprived communities, 18.8% of them in urban areas and 12.6% in rural areas. The Area Plan proposal for South and West Wales identified 42 branches as being located in urban deprived communities.

When preparing the Area Plan Proposal for South and West Wales, Post Office Limited considered factors relating to geography, the availability of local transport and alternative access to key Post Office® services, local demographics and the impact on local economies. All branches where changes were proposed were visited by members of Post Office Limited’s dedicated regional field teams to make sure that local factors that needed to be considered were assessed first hand.

The Area Plan Proposal for South and West Wales took into account the locations affected by these and other schemes, their likely implementation timescales, and had regard to the needs of the communities affected by these changes.

Stakeholders have not advised Post Office Limited of any major road schemes that would materially change the accessibility to branches for particular communities. Similarly, the input that we have received regarding public transport provision does not suggest any proposed reduction in current provision which could leave branches significantly less accessible for particular communities or make it more difficult for customers to access alternative branches than at present.

The Area Plan Proposal for South and West Wales proposed to retain a total of 291 Post Office® branches across the region, but to close 40 existing branches, and replace 19 with Outreach service points. In accordance with the Government’s minimum access and other criteria, the Area Plan Proposal for South and West Wales comprised 87 branches in urban towns and cities and 204 branches in rural areas.

Post Office Ltd has decided to proceed with the closure of the following branch:

Post Office® Lone Road branch

The main concerns expressed by respondents during local public consultation regarding our proposal to close this branch related to the potential effect of the proposed closure on the local community, as respondents said the area has a high proportion of vulnerable customers, the availability and extent of parking facilities at the nearest alternative branches, and the hilly terrain of the area.
Respondents also said that there is no car parking available directly outside the nearest alternative branch, Post Office® Clydach branch, as was stated in our consultation materials.
Post Office Ltd has considered all responses received during local public consultation and a review of this proposal has been undertaken. The two nearest alternative Post Office® branches, Post Office® Clydach Branch and Post Office® Craig Cefn Park branch, are within approximately half a mile and just over one mile from Post Office® Lone Road branch respectively.
Both these two alternative branches are served by regular buses, with concessionary fares available to people over 60 and people with qualifying disabilities, with low-level access available on some vehicles.
Roadside parking is available outside Post Office® Craig Cefn Park branch and parking is also available at Post Office® Clydach Branch, where there is a parking bay for cars approximately 100 yards from the branch.
Post Office® Clydach Branch also offers a wider range of Post Office® products and services than Post Office® Lone Road Branch.
Taking these and all other relevant factors into account, including the needs of our more vulnerable customers, Post Office Limited has decided to proceed with the proposal to close Post Office® Lone Road branch.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Decision following further review of Post Offices in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and South Lincolnshire
28/10/2008


Post Office Ltd today (October 28 2008) announced its decision on the future of three branches in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and South Lincolnshire following an additional review with Postwatch.

Following the outcome of the local public consultation process announced on September 17, 2008 the proposals for the following branches below were in the process of a further review:

Post Office® Conniburrow branch, 258 Conniborrow Bvd, Conniburrow, Milton Keynes, MK14 7AH
Post Office ® Fishermead branch. Fishermead, Milton Keynes, MK6 2LA
Post Office ® Linslade branch, 33 New Road and Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2LS

The decision has now been taken to close these three offices with agreement that the closure of both Conniburrow and Fishermead branches will be postponed until the end of January 2009.

Post Office® services in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and South Lincolnshire will be provided through a network of 453 branches which supports the national accessibility criteria introduced by the Government and ensures the 99.3 per cent of the area’s population will either see no change to their existing branch or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

The proposal to close three branches in the area; Cottered, The Village Hall, Cottered, Buntingford, SG9 9QL, Thriplow, 2 Middle Street, Thriplow, Royston, SG8 7RD and Walsworth, 136 Cambridge Road, Hitchin, SG4 0JN, is currently in public consultation.

Submissions can be made during the consultation by post to the National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM (no stamp required) or by email to consultation@postoffice.co.uk by the end date of 10 November 2008.

Full details of the decisions and the issues raised during local public consultation are available by visiting www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or by writing to Post Office Ltd at Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp needed) or by emailing consultation@postoffice.co.u

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Herefordshire, Worcestershire and West Midlands Post Office® branches

DECISIONS ANNOUNCED

Post Office Ltd today announced decisions on the future of Post Office® branches across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands following a six week public consultation which ended on 7 October. Post Office® services will be provided through a network of 321 branches, which supports the national accessibility criteria introduced by the Government and ensures that over 99% of residents in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands will either see no change to their existing branch or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

The plan confirmed today means that 54 branches will close in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands with the first closures scheduled to take place in November 2008. Following a review of the issues raised during consultation, The Butts Post Office, in Walsall, originally proposed for closure will now remain open.

In order to ensure that the planned future network can be supported by the available funding from Government and meets the criteria it has set, including the requirement that no part of the UK is advantaged or disadvantaged relative to other areas, Post Office Ltd is proposing the closure of one further branch - Wilkin in Brownhills. A six week public consultation on this new proposal will begin on 11 November 2008.

The proposal to close Tudorville Post Office is currently under further review, and a decision will be announced shortly.

These decisions have been reached after public consultation and Postwatch, the consumer body representing Post Office® customers, has verified the correct consultation procedures were followed.

Full details of the decisions and the issues raised during local public consultation are available by visiting www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or by writing to Post Office Ltd at Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp needed) or by emailing consultation@postoffice.co.uk

Post Office Ltd received over 3700 responses and attended 45 meetings with customers and their representatives to understand their concerns regarding our proposals for the area. All information provided by customers formed part of the final decision regarding each affected branch.

Mark Partington, Post Office Ltd’s Network Development Manager for Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands, said: "These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly. We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation. We believe that the amended plan announced today offers our customers across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future, bearing in mind the Government’s minimum access criteria and the other factors it has asked us to consider."

Ends

www.postoffice.co.uk

Note to editors

Post Office branches in the following parliamentary constituencies are included in the Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands area plan:

Halesowen and Rowley Regis, Dudley North, Dudley South, Stourbridge, Aldridge-Brownhills, Walsall North, Walsall South, Warley, West Bromwich East, West Bromwich West, Wolverhampton North East, Wolverhampton South East, Wolverhampton South West, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Wyre Forest, Hereford, Leominster, West Worcestershire
Worcester, Mid Worcestershire.

The Government criteria:

Nationally:

• 99% of the UK population to be within 3 miles and 90% of the population to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 99% of the total population in deprived urban areas across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total urban population across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total rural population across the UK to be within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

In addition, for each individual postcode district:

• 95% of the population of the postcode district to be within 6 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

The following branch will remain open:

The Butts, 44 Butts Road, Walsall, WS4 2BW


The following branch is currently under further review

Tudorville, Walford Road, Tudorville, Ross-On-Wye, HR9 5PY


The following 54 Post Office® branches will now close as part of the Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands plan:

Barnett Lane, No.3 Shop, Barnett Lane, Kingswinford, DY6 9PJ
Bengeworth, 3 Northwick Road, Bengeworth, Evesham, WR11 3AN
Bilford Road, 200 Bilford Road, Worcester, WR3 8HL
Bishops Wood, The Post Office, Bishops Wood, Ross-On-Wye, HR9 5QX
Brampton Bryan, Brampton Bryan, Bucknell, SY7 0DH
Brampton Road, (Temporarily closed), 47 Brampton Road, Hereford, HR2 7DF
Brasshouse Lane, 98 Brasshouse Lane, Smethwick, Warley B66 1BA
Brockhampton, Brockhampton, Hereford, HR1 4SD
Brockmoor, 49a Station Road, Brierley Hill, DY5 3HT
Church Lench, Main Street, Church Lench, Evesham, WR11 4UE
Cleeve Prior, Cleeve Prior Memorial Hall, Main St, Cleeve Prior, Evesham, WR11 8LE
Clent, Clent Parish Hall, Church Avenue, Clent, Stourbridge, DY9 9QT
Comberton Hill, 39 Comberton Hill, Kidderminster, DY10 1QN
Delves, 157 Walstead Road, Delves, Walsall, WS5 4LU
Dudley Fields, 2 Sneyd Hall Road, Dudley Fields, Walsall WS3 2NP
Edwin Ralph, Edwin Ralph Post Office, Bromyard, HR7 4LY
Finstall, 25 Alcester Road, Bromsgrove, B60 1EL
Greets Green, 87 Whitehall Road, West Bromwich, B70 0HG
Hanley Castle, Hanley Castle, Worcester, WR8 0BJ
Hasbury, 93 Hagley Road, Hasbury, Halesowen, B63 4QB
High Street, 117 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 6NY
Link Top, 84 Worcester Road, Malvern, WR14 1NY
Llangrove, Prospect Place, Llangrove, Ross-On-Wye, HR9 6ET
Long Lane, 307 Long Lane, Halesowen, B62 9LB
Lyonshall, ‘Tellin’, Lyonshall, Kington, HR5 3LL
Mount Pleasant, 153 Mount Pleasant, Redditch, B97 4JJ
New Street, 70 New Street, West Bromwich, B70 7PT
Newhampton Road West, 209 Newhampton Road West, Wolverhampton, WV6 0RW
Oldswinford, 94-98 Hagley Road, Oldswinford, Stourbridge, DY8 1QU
Pedmore, 282 Hagley Road, Stourbridge, DY9 0RH
Pinvin, 12 Pershore Terrace, Pinvin, Pershore, WR10 2DR
Poolbrook, 120a Poolbrook Road, Malvern, WR14 3JF
Portobello, 616 Willenhall Road, Willenhall, WV13 3RA
Prestwood Road, 301 Prestwood Road, Wolverhampton, WV11 1RQ
Quarry Bank, 41 High Street, Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill DY5 2AA
Redhill, 38 Mayberry Avenue, Hereford, HR2 7QR
Rock Hill, 7 Rock Hill, Bromsgrove, B61 7LL
Rood End, 123 Rood End Road, Oldbury, Warley, B68 8SL
Rounds Green, 87 Brades Road, Oldbury, Warley, B69 2EB
Rushall, 112 Lichfield Road, Walsall, WS4 1EN
Rushall, Rushall, Ledbury, HR8 2PA
Rushwick, Bransford Road, Rushwick, Worcester, WR2 5TA
Silver End, 325 Brettell Lane, Brierley Hill, DY5 3QR
Stafford Street, 68 Stafford Street, Walsall, WS2 8DR
Stanley Road, 16 Stanley Road, Oldbury, Warley, B68 0DY
Stone, Park Lane, Harvington, Kidderminster, DY10 4LW
Sutton-St-Nicholas, Sutton-St-Nicholas, Hereford, HR1 3AU
The Walshes, 22 Queens Road, Stourport-On-Severn, DY13 0BH
Upper Penn, 276-278 Penn Road, Penn, Wolverhampton, WV4 4AD
Victoria Park, 284a High Street, Smethwick, Warley B66 3NU
Villiers Avenue, 1 Villiers Square, Bilston, WV14 6QN
Wickhamford, 43 Pitchers Hill, Wickhamford, Evesham, WR11 7RT
Wolverley, (Temporarily closed), The Newsagents Shop, Wolverley Kidderminster, DY11 5XD
Woodrow, Woodrow Centre, Redditch, B98 7RY

The following 13 Post Office Branches will be replaced by an outreach solution:

Almeley,1 West View, Almeley, Hereford, HR3 6LE
Bishops Frome, Post Office & Stores, Bishops Frome, Worcester, WR6 5AP
Callow End, The Blue Bell, 35 Upton Road, Callow End, Worcester, WR2 4TY
Clifton On Teme, 27 The Village Store, Clifton On Teme, Worcester, WR6 6EN
Cradley, Cradley, Malvern, WR13 5NF
Dorstone, Dorstone Stores, Dorstone, Hereford, HR3 6AN
Elmley Castle, Village Hall, Main Street, Elmley Castle, Pershore, WR10 3HS
Lower Eggleton, Lower Eggleton, Ledbury, HR8 2TZ
Pembridge, Ye Olde Steppes, High Street, Pembridge, Leominster, HR6 9DS
Upper Sapey, Upper Sapey, Worcester, WR6 6XR
Upper Welland, 146 Upper Welland Road, Malvern, WR14 4LA
Whitney on Wye, Whitney Stores, Whitney on Wye, Hereford, HR3 6EH
Wigmore, Wigmore, Leominster,HR6 9UJ

The six-week public consultation period on the proposal to close Wilkin Post Office, 94 Hednesford Road, Brownhills Walsall WS8 7LT will begin on 11 November 2008. All submissions should be received by 22 December 2008..

To express your views write to Mark Partington, Network Development Manager
C/o National Consultation Team, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM

Or email : consultation@postoffice.co.uk or call the
Customer Helpline: 08457 22 33 44


A full list of the branches which will serve Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands is available upon request.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Post Office Decision Following Additional Consultations In South Essex, South Hertfordshire And Buckinghamshire
04/11/2008


Post Office Ltd today (4 November 2008) announced its decision on the future of two South Essex, South Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire Post Office branches, following a further six-week public consultation ending on October 13, 2008.

In June 2008 Post Office Ltd developed and published a local area plan proposal for the South Essex, South Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, setting out the changes it proposed to make as part of the implementation of the Government decision to reduce the UK wide network of Post Office branches by up to 2,500 from its current level of more than 14,000 while continuing to provide funding to support a more sustainable network in the future.

As a result of feedback received during the local six-week public consultation Post Office Ltd amended its proposal by deciding not to proceed with the proposed closures of four branches - Chalfont Common, Loudwater, Sutton Road and The Parade and proposing the closure of Weston Turville Post Office, 21 Middle Field, Weston Turville, Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 5RH and Moatfield Post Office, 33 Harcourt Road, Bushey, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD23 3PP.

The closure of Weston Turville Post Office branch is confirmed today and the proposal to close Moatfield Post Office branch is currently in the process of a further review.

For Weston Turville Post Office® feedback was received from local residents as well as David Lidington MP and Aylesbury Vale District Council.

The main concerns raised were the affect on elderly and disabled customers in accessing services at alternative branches. The nearest alternative branch, Post Office® Stoke Mandeville branch, is less than two miles from Post Office® Weston Turville branch and the second nearest alternative branch, Post Office® Aston Clinton branch, is approximately two miles away. Vehicle ownership in the area is very high. There is also regular public transport available to both alternative branches.

Taking these and all other relevant factors into account Post Office Ltd has decided to confirm the closure of Weston Turville Post Office® branch.

The proposal to close Moatfield Post Office branch is currently in the process of a further review, we expect this to be concluded in the near future at which time we will communicate our final decision.

Gary Herbert Post Office Ltd’s Network Development Manager for South Essex, South Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire said: "We know that any decision to close a Post Office branch will often be unpopular but we have to put the network on a more stable footing for the future.

"We still have more branches open in the area than all the major banks and building societies combined and 99.5 per cent of people will see no change to the branch they currently use or will remain within a mile of an alternative."

Ends

Issued by: South East and East of England External Relations team
1st Floor
148 Old Street
LONDON
EC1V 9HQ

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Herefordshire, Worcestershire And The West Midlands Post Office® Area Plan - Decision On Tudorville Branch Following Further Review
06/11/2008


Post Office Ltd today announced its decision to proceed with the closure of Tudorville Post Office branch following the conclusion of a further review.

Post Office Ltd is intending to introduce a new Post Office® outlet in the area on a trial basis, immediately following the closure of Tudorville branch. As part of the trial Post Office Ltd will be looking at how the new service performs and how well used it is to determine whether it should be established permanently. The trial will not affect the decision to close Post Office® Tudorville branch. Full details of the proposed trial service will be communicated as soon as possible.

The decision confirmed today has been reached after public consultation and Postwatch, the consumer body representing Post Office® customers, has verified the correct consultation procedures were followed.

Full details of the decision and the issues raised during local public consultation are available by visiting www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or by writing to Post Office Ltd at Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp needed) or by emailing consultation@postoffice.co.uk

Mark Partington, Post Office Ltd’s Network Development Manager said: "We appreciate that any decision to close a Post Office® branch will be unpopular. Nevertheless, Post Office Ltd has to make changes in order to put the Network on a more stable footing for the future and achieve this in a way which best meets the demands and concerns of its customers."

Ends

Issued by Post Office Ltd
Birmingham Mail Centre
St Stephens Street
BIRMINGHAM
B6 4AA

Note to editors

Post Office branches in the following parliamentary constituencies are included in the Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands:

Halesowen and Rowley Regis, Dudley North, Dudley South, Stourbridge, Aldridge-Brownhills, Walsall North, Walsall South, Warley, West Bromwich East, West Bromwich West, Wolverhampton North East, Wolverhampton South East, Wolverhampton South West, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Wyre Forest, Hereford, Leominster, West Worcestershire
Worcester, Mid Worcestershire.

The Government criteria:

Nationally:

• 99% of the UK population to be within 3 miles and 90% of the population to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 99% of the total population in deprived urban areas across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total urban population across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total rural population across the UK to be within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

In addition, for each individual postcode district:

• 95% of the population of the postcode district to be within 6 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

Tudorville Post Office, Walford Road, Tudorville, Ross- on- Wye HR9 5PY,

A full list of the branches which will serve Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands is available upon request.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

11/11/2008


Post Office Ltd today announced its decision on the future of Abbotskerswell Post Office branch following the conclusion of a further review.

After carefully reviewing all the feedback received during the public consultation Post Office Ltd has decided to proceed with the closure of the branch.

Tim Nickolls, Post Office Ltd’s Network Development Manager for Devon said: "The decision to close a Post Office branch is a difficult one that is not taken lightly. We considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation and undertook a further review before reaching the decision. We believe that the amended plan announced today offers our customers across Devon the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future, bearing in mind the Government’s minimum access criteria and the other factors it has asked us to consider

The decision has been reached after consultation and Postwatch, the consumer body representing Post Office® customers, has verified the correct consultation procedures were followed.

Full details of the decision and the issues raised during local public consultation are available by visiting www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or by writing to Post Office Ltd at Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp needed) or by emailing consultation@postoffice.co.uk.

Issued by Post Office Ltd
Birmingham Mail Centre
St Stephens Street
BIRMINGHAM
B6 4AA

Note to editors

Post Office® branches in the following parliamentary constituencies were included in the Devon plan:

East Devon, Exeter, North Devon, Teignbridge, Torridge and West Devon
Plymouth, Devonport, Plymouth, Sutton, South West Devon, Tiverton and Honiton,
Torbay, Totnes.

The Government criteria:

Nationally:

• 99% of the UK population to be within 3 miles and 90% of the population to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 99% of the total population in deprived urban areas across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total urban population across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total rural population across the UK to be within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.


In addition, for each individual postcode district:

• 95% of the population of the postcode district to be within 6 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

Abbotskerswell Branch, The Shower Centre, Abbotskerswell, Newton Abbot, TQ12 5NT

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Post Office® Cornwall Area Plan - Decision Announced Following Further Review

11/11/2008


Post Office Ltd today announced its decision on the future of Post Office branches at Week St Mary branch and Whitstone following the conclusion of further review.

After reviewing feedback received on the proposals Post Office Ltd has decided that the branches will close and be replaced by partner outreach services.

At Week St Mary a partner service will operate from the existing site on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 9am and 5.30pm closing for an hour each day between 1pm and 2pm. Each Wednesday and Saturday the service will be available between 9am and 1pm.

In Whitstone the partner service will be based at the existing Post Office site and will operate between 7am and 8pm Monday to Saturday and between 8am and 7pm on Sunday.

The standard range of Post Office products and services will continue to be available through the proposed hosted post office service. Customers can still collect benefits in cash using our banking services or Post Office® card account.

Tim Nickolls, Post Office Ltd’s Network Development Manager for Cornwall said: "We appreciate that any decision to close a Post Office® branch will be unpopular. We had to make some changes in order to put the Network on a more stable footing for the future and achieve this in a way which best meets the demands and concerns of its customers. The partner services that will serve Week St Mary and Whitstone mean customers can continue to access Post Office services locally"

The decisions have been reached after consultation and Postwatch, the consumer body representing Post Office® customers, has verified the correct consultation procedures were followed.

Full details of the decisions and the issues raised during local public consultation are available by visiting www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or by writing to Post Office Ltd at Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp needed) or by emailing consultation@postoffice.co.uk.

Issued by Post Office Ltd
Birmingham Mail Centre
St Stephens Street
BIRMINGHAM
B6 4AA


Note to editors

Post Office® branches in the following parliamentary constituencies were included in the Cornwall plan:

North Cornwall, South East Cornwall, Falmouth and Camborne, St. Ives, Truro and St. Austell


The Government criteria:

Nationally:

• 99% of the UK population to be within 3 miles and 90% of the population to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 99% of the total population in deprived urban areas across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total urban population across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total rural population across the UK to be within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.


In addition, for each individual postcode district:

• 95% of the population of the postcode district to be within 6 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

Partner services will be established at the following locations:

Post Office® Week St Mary branch, Week St Mary, Holsworthy, EX22 6XH
Post Office® Whitstone branch, Whitstone, Holsworthy, EX22 6TX

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Post Office® Shropshire And Staffordshire Area Plan - Lydbury North Service Announced
18/11/2008


Post Office Ltd today announced the outreach service that will be introduced to serve Lydbury North.

The proposal for a hosted outreach service was subject to a public consultation which closed on 27 October. After reviewing feedback received on the proposal, Post Office Ltd has decided that a hosted outreach service will be established to replace the closing branch.

The new service will operate from the site of the existing Post Office at 61 Lydbury North on Mondays and Thursdays between 9.30am and 11.30am.

The standard range of products and services will continue to be available through the hosted service. Customers can continue to collect benefits in cash using banking services or Post Office® card account.

Mark Partington, Post Office Ltd’s Network Development Manager for Shropshire and Staffordshire said: "We appreciate that any decision to close a Post Office® branch will be unpopular. We have to make changes in order to put the Network on a more stable footing for the future and achieve this in a way which best meets the demands and concerns of its customers. The hosted service that will serve Lydbury North mean customers can continue to access Post Office services locally"

The decision has been reached after consultation and Postwatch, the consumer body representing Post Office® customers, has verified the correct consultation procedures were followed.

Full details of the decisions and the issues raised during local public consultation are available by visiting www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or by writing to Post Office Ltd at Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp needed) or by emailing consultation@postoffice.co.uk.

Issued by Post Office Ltd
Birmingham Mail Centre
St Stephens Street
BIRMINGHAM
B6 4AA

Note to editors

Post Office® branches in the following parliamentary constituencies were included in the Shropshire and Staffordshire plan:

Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands, Stone, Tamworth, Burton, Stafford,
Stoke-on-Trent Central, Stoke-on-Trent North, Stoke-on-Trent South, Cannock Chase, Lichfield, South Staffordshire, Ludlow, North Shropshire, Shrewsbury and, Atcham, Telford, The Wrekin

The Government criteria:

Nationally:

• 99% of the UK population to be within 3 miles and 90% of the population to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 99% of the total population in deprived urban areas across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total urban population across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total rural population across the UK to be within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

In addition, for each individual postcode district:

• 95% of the population of the postcode district to be within 6 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

The following branch will close and be replaced by a hosted outreach service operating from the same address.

Lydbury North Post Office, 61 Lydbury North, SY7 8AR

A full lit of the branches that will serve Shropshire and Staffordshire is available on request.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Post Office® Dorset Area Plan - Decisions Announced Following Further Review
18/11/2008


Post Office Ltd today announced its decision on the future of Post Office branches at Blandford Camp and Buxton Road, following the conclusion of further review.

After reviewing feedback received on the proposals Post Office Ltd has decided that the Blandford Camp and Buxton Road branches will close.

Tim Nickolls, Post Office Ltd’s Network Development Manager for Dorset said: "We appreciate that any decision to close a Post Office® branch will be unpopular. However, some difficult decisions had to be taken in order to put the Network on a more stable footing for the future and to achieve this in a way which best meets the demands and concerns of its customers."

These decisions have been reached after consultation and Postwatch, the consumer body representing Post Office® customers, has verified the correct consultation procedures were followed.

Full details of the decisions and the issues raised during local public consultation are available by visiting www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or by writing to Post Office Ltd at Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp needed) or by emailing consultation@postoffice.co.uk.

Ends

Issued by Post Office Ltd
Birmingham Mail Centre
St Stephens Street
BIRMINGHAM
B6 4AA

Note to editors

Post Office® branches in the following parliamentary constituencies were included in the Dorset plan:

Bournemouth East, Bournemouth West, Christchurch, Mid Dorset and North Poole, Poole, South Dorset, North Dorset, West Dorset

The Government criteria:

Nationally:

• 99% of the UK population to be within 3 miles and 90% of the population to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 99% of the total population in deprived urban areas across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total urban population across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total rural population across the UK to be within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

In addition, for each individual postcode district:

• 95% of the population of the postcode district to be within 6 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

Decisions on the following branches were announced today:

Blandford Camp, Welfare Centre, Blandford Camp, Blandford Forum DT11 8BJ
Buxton Road, 23 Buxton Road, Weymouth DT4 9PG

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Post Office® decision following additional consultations Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and South Lincolnshire
02/12/2008


Post Office Ltd today (2 December 2008) announced its decision on the future of three Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and South Lincolnshire branches, following a further six-week public consultation ending on 10 November 2008.

In July 2008 Post Office Ltd developed and published a local area plan proposal for Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and South Lincolnshire setting out the changes it proposed to make as part of the implementation of the Government decision to reduce the UK wide network of Post Office branches by up to 2,500 from its current level of more than 14,000 while continuing to provide funding to support a more sustainable network in the future.

As a result of feedback received during the local six-week public consultation Post Office Ltd amended its proposal by deciding not to proceed with the proposed closures of Benego Post Office® branch, Twyford Post Office® branch, West Town Post Office® branch and Whitwell Post Office® branch and the replacement of Great Gransden Post Office® branch with an Outreach service in the original area plan and proposed that the three branches below should be closed:

Cottered Post Office® branch, The Village Hall, Cottered, Buntingford
Thriplow Post Office® branch, 2 Middle Street, Thriplow, Royston, SG8 7RD
Walsworth Post Office® branch, 136 Cambridge Road, Hitchin, SG4 0JN

The closure of Cottered Post Office® branch, Thirplow Post Office® branch and Walsworth Post Office® branch are confirmed today.

Cottered branch
For Cottered branch feedback was received concerning frequency of bus services and the fact that the local community had contributed to the upkeep of a Post Office® in the village hall. Cottered Post Office® is open for six hours a week and as there are no retail facilities it is evident that residents are already travelling outside Cottered to do shopping and access some other essential services.

Taking these and all other relevant factors into account Post Office Ltd has decided to confirm the closure of Cottered Post Office® branch.

Thriplow branch
For Thriplow Post Office® branch feedback was received about the frequency of local bus services and the proximity of other branches, as well as the impact of the closure on elderly and disabled customers, and on local businesses. Concern was also expressed about the viability of the associated shop, which is run on a voluntary basis with support and donations from the local community. Thriplow Post Office® branch is open for 20 hours per week and is located within a general store.

Customer numbers are relatively low. Although respondents noted that the percentage of retired residents in the area is above average, the percentage of pension benefits transacted at Thriplow Post Office® branch is very low. The nearest alternative branch, Fowlmere Post Office® branch, is less than one and a half miles from Thriplow Post Office® branch. The second nearest alternative branch, Foxton Post Office®, is less than three miles away. Car ownership in the Thriplow area is very high and parking is available near both the two closest alternative branches.

Although there are no suitable bus services to either of the two nearest alternative branches, there is a bus service from the Thriplow area into Cambridge, where additional Post Office® facilities may be accessed at Cambridge Post Office® branch. Taking these and all other relevant factors into account, including the needs of our more vulnerable customers, Post Office Limited has decided to proceed with the proposed closure of Thriplow Post Office® branch.

Walsworth branch (temporarily closed)
A relatively small number of responses were received during the local public consultation period regarding Post Office Ltd’s proposal to close this branch permanently. The main concerns expressed by respondents related to the accessibility of the alternative branches, particularly for elderly and disabled customers, the availability of bus services to the nearest alternative branch, Highbury Post Office® branch, and the potential impact of the proposed closure on the local community. Post Office Ltd has considered all responses received during the local public consultation and a review of this proposal has been undertaken.

Walsworth Post Office® branch is located approximately one and a half miles from the centre of Hitchin and has been temporarily closed for more than a year. The nearest alternative branch, Post Office® Highbury branch, is approximately one and a quarter miles from Walsworth Post Office® branch and the second nearest alternative branch, Hitchin Post Office® branch, is approximately one and three quarters of a mile away.

Both these alternative branches are accessible for customers with mobility difficulties. Both branches have ramps at their entrances, wide doors and low-level counters inside. Time-restricted car parking is available outside Highbury Post Office® branch. In addition, there are two dedicated disabled parking spaces approximately 30 yards from Hitchin Post Office® branch and a car park within approximately 500 yards of the branch.

Hitchin Post Office® branch is located in a semi-pedestrianised area, close to many other high street retailers and there is a Shopmobility scheme in operation in the town centre. A regular bus service runs from the Walsworth area into the centre of Hitchin, with free off-peak local bus travel offered to people over 60 and disabled people, with low-level access available on most buses. A Dial a Ride service also operates in the local area. Taking these and all other relevant factors into account, including the needs of our more vulnerable customers, Post Office Ltd has decided to proceed with the proposed permanent closure of Walsworth Post Office® branch.

Laura Tarling, Network Development Manager for Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and South Lincolnshire said "We know that any decision to close a Post Office branch will often be unpopular but we have to put the network on a more stable footing for the future.

"We still have more branches open in the area than all the major banks and building societies combined and 99.5 per cent of people will see no change to the branch they currently use or will remain within a mile of an alternative."

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Shropshire And Staffordshire Area Plan - Post Office Outreach Service For Munslow Confirmed
20/01/2009


Post Office Ltd today confirmed that a home outreach service will be introduced in the village of Munslow.

The new service will replace Munslow Post Office following confirmation in July 2008 that the existing branch would close under Post Office Ltd’s area plan for Shropshire and Staffordshire,

The home outreach service will allow customers in the community, who register for the service, to order Post Office products and services and have them delivered direct to their home or to a local drop in session at a location and time which would be confirmed when an order is placed.

The standard range of products and services are available through the home service. Customers can collect benefits in cash using banking services or the Post Office® card account.

Mark Partington, Network Development Manager for Shropshire and Staffordshire said: "The home service in Munslow offers a convenient way for customers to continue to access Post Office services locally. We’ve had to make changes in order to put the Network on a more stable footing for the future and achieve this in a way which best meets the demands and concerns of its customers."

Ends

Issued by Post Office Ltd
Birmingham Mail Centre
St Stephen’s Street
BIRMINGHAM
B6 4AA

Notes to Editors:

Munslow Post Office, Aston Munslow Garage, Munslow Craven Arms SY7 9ER

In May 2007, following a national public consultation, the UK Government announced a range of proposed measures to modernise and reshape the network of Post Office® branches and put it on a more stable footing for the future.

Post Office Ltd has now commenced a Network Change Programme to implement the measures prescribed by the Government. Under the plan, 2500 branches across the UK will close and 500 outreach models will be introduced.

Each Area Plan proposal supports the achievement of the national accessibility criteria set by the UK Government.

The UK Government criteria:
Nationally:
• 99% of the UK population to be within 3 miles and 90% of the population to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 99% of the total population in deprived urban (deprived urban - the most disadvantaged urban parts of the UK based on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation - top 15% Super Output Area in England, 15% of Data Zones in Scotland and 30% of Super Output Areas in Wales and Northern Ireland) areas across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total urban (urban - a community with 10,000 or more inhabitants in a continuous built up area) population across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• 95% of the total rural (rural - a community not covered by the definition of urban above) population across the UK to be within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

• In addition for each individual postcode district 95% of the population of the postcode district to be within 6 miles of their nearest Post Office® branch.

Find out more about Network Change Programme



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