Post office closures - Herefordshire to be hit hardest in the region

Herefordshire could be facing the loss of 20 post offices when closure proposals from Post Office Limited are announced next week (27 August 2008). The county is bracing itself to be hit harder than any other part of the West Midlands in the national programme to axe 2,500 post offices.

Herefordshire Council says there is 'deep cynicism' about the six-week consultation on the closure proposals. Local MPs have been given briefings on which post offices are on the hit list but news is now leaking out into local communities.

Councillor Roger Phillips, leader of the council, says communities, councillors and MPs will have to work hard together to try to protect the services that are vital to many remote and rural communities.

"It is clear that Post Office Limited is intent on closing more post offices in Herefordshire than anywhere else in the region", he said, "and despite their assurances that there will be consultation, there is deep cynicism about the process".

Across the county, it is known that post offices earmarked for closure include Brampton Bryan, Edwin Ralph, Lyonshall and Sutton St Nicholas.

There are likely to be 20 post offices named for closure and up to ten more recommended as 'outreach' facilities, meaning they will be closed and replaced by a very limited mobile service in car parks, petrol stations, village halls or local pubs. Outreach facilities are known to include Almeley, Bishops Frome, Cradley, Lower Eggleton, Pembridge, Upper Sapley, Whitney on Wye and Wigmore.

In a detailed submission to the Department of Trade and Industry, Herefordshire Council has previously argued that closure plans would see the marginalisation and exclusion of thousands of vulnerable people, such as older people, low-income families or those without a car, who rely on their local post office.

"The viability of hundreds of small rural communities across the county, especially those in remote areas, is at stake", added Councillor Phillips.

"Herefordshire is predominately rural, with more of its people living in very sparsely populated areas than any other county in England. It also has a higher age profile, and a growing population of frail, older people who depend more than most on post office services. Their quality of life would be seriously damaged if the government gets its way".

The council together with county councillors and parish councillors is to meet with Postwatch and Post Office Limited in early September to discuss the closure plans. The post office consultation ends on 7 October.

Herefordshire Council is fighting on two fronts to safeguard the rural way of life. It is also battling to save over 100 telephone kiosks threatened with the axe by telecommunications giant BT. The council is asking parish councils and local people to write in and voice their concerns and ideas of how the council can work with them and their local MPs to protect village post offices and telephone boxes. They can write to, and obtain details of the September meeting from, Anthony Bush, parish liaison and rural services officer, Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane, Hereford HR4 0XH, or e-mail abush@herefordshire.gov.uk