13 November 2007
Post Office closures will be a major blow
Councillor Pam Doodes, Leader of Wealden District Council, has described the Post Office’s proposals to close six post offices in Wealden as “a major blow”.
“We are a rural district and rural post offices matter a great deal to us. In many cases they are the sole surviving social hub of our settlements,” said Cllr Doodes.
“Closing six of Wealden’s 44 Post Offices, and another two just over our borders, will be a major blow for all residents, especially the elderly, who rely on both the post office and the connecting local shop for a wide range of services and social contact.
“In February, before the Post Office had finalised its plans, we talked to the district sub-postmasters. The majority made it clear that shops connected to post offices would not be able to survive if the post office business was taken away.
“These proposals are backward thinking. They will discourage local shopping and have a negative effect on rural employment.
“We will me making our views known before the consultation period ends on December 24, and I urge all those affected in Wealden to do the same.”
The post offices in Wealden which are affected by the Post Office’s Network Change Programme, are at:
Durgates Durgates, Wadhurst.
Framfield The Street, Framfield.
Heathfield Hailsham Road, Heathfield.
Town Row Yew Tree Lane, Rotherfield.
Upper Dicker Coldharbour Road, Upper Dicker.
Wannock Farmlands Way, Wannock.
Two just outside the District’s boundaries are:
Willingdon Wish Hill, Willingdon.
North Chailey Haywards Heath Road, North Chailey.
None of the Post Office’s proposed outreach services will help any of the Wealden communities affected.
The public consultation for the proposed local changes will take place from November 13 to December 24.
Comments should be sent to:
Gary Herbert, Network Development Manager, c/o National Consultation Team, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM (no stamp required).
Or email: consultation@postoffice.co.uk.
