10-7-02

Barrett seeks assurances on Dalmeny Post Office

John Barrett, the Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today sought assurances from Post Office chiefs that the future of Dalmeny post office will be safeguarded.

The post office is due to close on 7th August after the failure to find a replacement for the retiring subpostmaster.

John Barrett MP said:

"Post Offices are often the heart of local communities, especially in small villages like Dalmeny in my constituency.

"I am very concerned that the closure of the post office, even a temporary closure, will cause immense difficulties for local people, especially the elderly and disabled, in accessing the day to day services on which they rely.

"The other branches which will be available at South Gyle and South Queensferry are simply not realistic alternatives. The nearest post office is still over a mile away and hardly any public transport is available.

"I have now written to the Contracts Manager of Post Office Ltd to request the widest possible advertising of the post and to ask for a temporary replacement in the interim. I will also be writing to all my constituents in Dalmeny asking them to support my campaign to keep the post office open. Put simply, the closure of this post office is not an option."

ENDS