Herefordshire dealt a hammer blow by plans to axe 20 post offices

Herefordshire Council says the local rural way of life is under attack after learning that the county faces the closure of 20 post offices, which were confirmed in an announcement by Post Office Limited today (27 August 2008). Of these, nine will be replaced by a limited 'outreach' service.

Herefordshire is the most sparsely populated county in the West Midlands and has been hit harder than any other part of the region by the closure programme. The council has organised next week (Wednesday 3rd September) a seminar to discuss the county's response, bringing together county councillors, parish councillors, local MPs, Post Office Limited, the independent watchdog Postwatch and the Rural Shops Alliance.

Councillor Adrian Blackshaw, cabinet member for economic development and community services, said: "Herefordshire's rural way of life has been dealt a hammer blow with Post Office Limited intent on axing more outlets here than anywhere else in the West Midlands.

"Everyone is deeply cynical about the process and although there are assurances that the plans are subject to a six-week consultation, Post Office Limited will have to work hard to convince local people that this isn't a 'done deal".

The 20 post offices earmarked for closure are:

Almeley
Bishops Frome
Bishops Wood, Ross on Wye
Brampton Bryan
Brampton Road, Hereford
Brockhampton, near Fownhope
Cradley
Dorstone
Edwin Ralph
Langrove, Ross on Wye
Lower Eggleton
Lyonshall
Pembridge
Redhill, Hereford
Rushall
Sutton St Nicholas
Tudorville, Ross on Wye
Upper Sapey
Whitney on Wye
Wigmore

Post Office Limited are intending to partly replace 9 of these post offices with '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. These are:

Almeley,
Bishops Frome,
Cradley,
Dorstone
Lower Eggleton,
Pembridge,
Upper Sapey,
Whitney on Wye,
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.

"Post offices are very often village stores too, and are at the heart of village life, especially in the more remote areas of the county", added Councillor Blackshaw. "Herefordshire has a rapidly growing population of frail, older people who depend on their local shop and post office and their quality of life and ability to be independent will be compromised severely if these closures go ahead".

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 on how the council can work with them and their local MPs to protect village post office services and telephone boxes. They can write to, Anthony Bush, parish liaison and rural services officer, Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane, Hereford HR4 0XH, or e-mail abush@herefordshire.gov.uk