Council blasts post office closures

Posted by Graeme Whitfield on Sep 4, 08 10:19 AM in News

Northumberland County Council is seeking urgent talks with the Post Office over closures across the county.

The council described the closure of 38 rural and urban post offices after a six-week consultation as a "hammer blow".

Gilsland post office

It had expressed particular concern over proposals impacting on Otterburn, Norham, Milfield, Gilsland (pictured), Longframlington, West Wylam, Bates Cottages and St Mary's Field.

The council also called for more suitable options than mobile services to link with the shops in Bardon Mill, Fourstones, Humshaugh, Lowick, Slaley, and Stannington.

Council leader Jeff Reid said: "Post Offices are seen as a key service in Northumberland. We have been working closely with our communities throughout the short consultation conducted by Post Office Ltd.

"We urged them to reconsider their proposals for 37 branches, which we believe will have a significant impact upon our communities, and potentially on the viability of the shops currently providing Post Office services.

"We and our communities made reasonable and helpful suggestions for a more effective and sustainable network. Our comments covered 21 Post Offices and identified 20 possible improvements to outreach proposals. Only two have been listened to.

"It is unacceptable that Post Office Ltd has proceeded in this way. It is a hammer blow to many of Northumberland's communities, many of whom say that their efforts to be heard were not heeded by Post Office Ltd."

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