11-09-03

Edinburgh Post Office decision merely a ‘stay of execution’ warns Barrett

John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today warned against complacency over the future of post offices in Edinburgh following confirmation by Royal Mail that the vast bulk of the City's closures will not be announced until the Spring of next year.

It had been thought and reported in some local newspapers that a complete list of Edinburgh post offices in line for closure would be announced in the next few weeks.  However, in a letter to John Barrett, the Head of Scottish Affairs at Royal Mail confirmed that there was "no truth whatsoever" to these reports. 

She confirmed that there would be no detailed list of proposed closures through their Network Reinvention Programme "before the Spring of next year."

The Royal Mail Group has however decided to change the way it proceeds with its closure programme which will result in an estimated 3,000 post office closures nationwide.  Rather than considering post offices branch by branch, whole areas will be considered at once with Edinburgh lined up for March/April 2004.

In a statement, Mr Barrett said:

"Many of my constituents are deeply concerned over the future of local post offices which they see as the heart of their local communities and providing key lifeline services. The fact over 10,000 people backed my "Save the Post Office" petition campaign goes to show the strength and depth of feeling on this issue.

"The decision by Royal Mail to delay the vast bulk of the closures in Edinburgh until next year merely gives the City's post office network a stay of execution.  For many people, it will only extend their uncertainty and anxiety, especially amongst the elderly, who often rely on their local post offices in their day to day lives.

"On the plus side, the Royal Mail has decided to extend the consultation period which follows a proposed closure announcement from 4 to 6 weeks.  However, it is worrying to hear from Royal Mail that, as of yet, no planned closures in Scotland have yet been reversed following consultation.  Such a statistic will not only depress those interested in protecting post office services but runs a risk of making a mockery of the entire consultation process.

"One thing is clear though.  When the Royal Mail finally does get round to announcing their plans for the City, I, along with other Liberal Democrats throughout Edinburgh will be ready to fight any closures which we see as unreasonable or to the detriment of our local communities."

ENDS