EADT post office campaign stepped up

  

THE EADT's fight to protect the future of the region's threatened post offices is gathering momentum just a day after dozens of branches learned they faced the axe.

Described as the life-blood of many communities, the Post Office has announced 67 branches will close in Suffolk and east Essex - with more to follow in west Suffolk.

To fight the proposals and save as many of these vital services as possible, the EADT has relaunched its Save Our Post Offices campaign, which was first run in 2000.

Important community figures and charity groups have already thrown their support behind our fight.

Tim Yeo, Suffolk South MP, has five post offices in his constituency which are threatened and he said: “I think everyone that knows the role of the post offices knows how absolutely vital it is. I am meeting the officials from Post Office Ltd about the process of making representations and how we go about this.

“I am also urging the Government to consider the possibility of selling shares to private investors which would give income to post offices.”

Post Office bosses have announced 2,500 stores will close nationwide after the government said the current network was financially unsustainable.

Under plans locally, 51 of post offices face outright closure, while 16 will be replaced with an “outreach service” - like operating in village halls, pubs or mobile vans on specified day each week.

Carol Deslandes, deputy chief executive of charity Suffolk ACRE, said the service needs to be maintained in whatever form possible.

“Post offices are the life-blood of many communities and are obviously very important to preserve in Suffolk.

“They are very important to the elderly, not only for the services they offer, but also the social interaction. But post offices are also very central to many young mums who live in rural areas, or those with disabilities or those who don't drive. Transport is a key issue in rural area and many are without basic transport,” she said.

But the charity, which aims to preserve community and rural life in Suffolk, urges some caution in the plans.

Mrs Deslandes added: “We need to be realistic in this fight. There may be some post offices where is it just not financially viable to continue. We would like to work with these communities to look at different ways to deliver the service. For example mobile provision or having a similar service in the village hall.

“We need to recognise and acknowledge this service is important to communities, but it needs to be cost effective. We must maintain the service in whatever form possible.”

Communities now have six weeks to make their voices heard in a public consultation period. Final decisions will be made in 12 weeks time.

Daphne Savage, chief executive of Age Concern Suffolk, has criticised the consultation period.

She said: “Age Concern Suffolk supports the EADT's campaign to save our local post offices.

“Many older people consider their post office to be a lifeline. In our rural county, a local post office becomes even more important.

“But this restructuring of the post office network feels as if it is being rushed, especially with only a six-week consultation period when 12 weeks is the 'norm'. Also it shouldn't be considered in isolation but be part of a whole sustainable rural strategy.”

Readers can back the campaign by filling in the form and sending it to Save Our Post Offices, East Anglian Daily Times, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1AN. An online petition will be available to sign online at www.eadt.co.uk later this week.