3-10-03

Barrett backs campaign to save Stenhouse Cross Post Office

John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today backed the campaign of the Scottish Pensions Association against the proposed closure of Stenhouse Cross post office.

The Royal Mail have announced plans to close Stenhouse Cross Post Office from December, as part of their Urban Reinvention Programme in which 3,000 urban post offices will be closed nationwide.

John Barrett has met with the sub-postmaster who is keen to keep his busy post office open so that local people can continue to benefit from its important services.   Mr Barrett has already been contacted by a number of his constituents in the Carrick Knowe area who use the post office regularly and who are now concerned about the negative impact a closure would have.

Today, John Barrett joined hundreds of other people in signing the petition of the Scottish Pensions Association, which calls on the Royal Mail to reverse its plans. 
Commenting, John Barrett said:

"This is just the latest in a string of post offices which the Royal Mail propose to close.  I know of the importance the post office plays to the local community and the damage it would have if it were to close.  A number of my constituents in Carrick Knowe use the office for collecting their pension or other key services.

"This excellent campaign by the Scottish Pensions Association to save the post office deserves support, not just from local people but from residents across the City who are concerned about these ongoing and damaging post office closures."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• A higher resolution version of the photograph above of John Barrett MP signing the campaign petition with John Wilson, National President of the Scottish Pensions Association, can be downloaded here.

• The consultation on the future of Stenhouse Post Office ends on 5th November.