PO bosses quizzed over rural closures

Oct 10 2007 by Ben Guy, The Journal

POST office chiefs met with members of a Northumberland council last night to discuss the proposed closures of offices in the county.

Adrian Wales, North-East network development manager, and field change adviser Ian Carlton were both quizzed by members of Tynedale Council economy overview and scrutiny committee.

The pair were invited to the meeting to answer councillor’s concerns about how the proposed closure of post offices nationwide would impact on Tynedale and how the council could help in the consultation process. Mr Wales said: “In terms of what we expect from the council what we are really looking for is intimate local knowledge – things like are there going to be changes to roads or new houses.

“We want to get as much information from the council and the community as possible. When we are looking at any area the more information we get the better.

“We are putting a lot of time and effort into what is a very difficult and very emotive process. No customer will be happy to see their post office closing. We are going to try our damnedest to make sure it is done to protect our customers’ interests but also empathetically to our post masters and post mistresses, some of who have worked for us for years.”

Among the issues raised by councillors was whether this reduction in the number of branches would be followed by more cuts.

Mr Wales said that although no one could predict the future there were “no plans” for further reductions after the current set. The post office has been told by the Government to close 2,500 of its branches nationwide to cut costs. Other concerns raised included whether those offices closed down would be compensated, and what measures would be put in place to replace the service.

Mr Wales told the meeting that the post office would be looking to hit targets of having a post office within three miles for 99% of the population as a whole and for 95% of people living in rural communities.

Coun Niel Fearon, who chaired the meeting, said: “The issue is of concern to everybody and we are seeking to see how Tynedale Council can come forward and be interactive in the process.”

Public consultation on which offices will be closed in Tynedale and Northumberland will begin next June.