Eight miles to post office – and no bus
Jul 16 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal
THE planned closure of post offices will leave some people stranded more than eight miles from their nearest branch – with no bus service to take them there.
A detailed analysis of the plans to axe a number of outlets revealed large distances between some of those proposed for closure and the nearest alternative.
The study was carried out by Post Office Ltd, but Tynedale councillors last night criticised the findings, claiming they were inaccurate.
The analysis provides details on each branch that is due to close in Tynedale and possible alternatives.
But the information has provoked anger among campaigners, who said it showed the full extent of the damage that closing the post offices would cause.
The branch at Otterburn, which is temporarily closed, would be permanently shut under the plans.
The alternative branch, listed as Bellingham, is more than eight miles away with no direct bus.
John Riddle, county councillor for the area, described the analysis as a complete waste of time, adding: “Of all the offices that are proposed for closure, if there is one that should be kept open it is Otterburn.
“The Post Office has got their data totally wrong. For starters they list the population as 160, when it is closer to 560.
“If the decision to close is based on that number, it is completely wrong.”
The document also reports on Whitfield post office which, although currently temporarily closed, would shut permanently under the plans. It lists Allendale as the nearest alternative for residents.
But it goes on to add that there are no direct public transport links for the four-mile journey.
Similarly, the report details Humshaugh post office, which is due to close, but again offers no transport link to the alternative, which is four miles away in Simonburn.
An outreach service will be provided, with a van in the village hall car park for about a third of the time offered by the current service.
National Government targets say 99% of the UK population should be within three miles of their nearest office.
A Post Office Limited spokesman said: “The consultation is the time for people to come forward to us and tell us if we have got something wrong.”
Write to National Consultation Team, FREEPOST Consultation Team, or Email consultation@postoffice.co.uk.”
REPORT SHOWS 'LACK OF UNDERSTANDING'
STEVE Robins, a member of the group set up to oppose the closure of Humshaugh post office, said the analysis showed the lack of understanding shown by Post Office Ltd.
“They say the alternative is about four miles away, but it is not really an alternative. There is a bus service into Hexham, which realistically means that is the only option on offer,” he explained.
“Another key thing that this overlooks is that if people are relying on a rural bus service to get them to a post office, they are also reliant on it to come back. People will just have to go to Hexham instead.”
