As you might imagine, Maureen Child has plenty to say about this:
Letter in today's EN on the subject: http://news.scotsman.com/archive.cfm?id=889712004You may have picked up in the press that the Post Office Ltd have proposed the closure of 20 post offices across Edinburgh and one in Musselburgh - six in East Edinburgh. The one affected closest to home in Milton ward, with people expected either to use the post office at Asda (The Jewel) or the one in Portobello Scotmid, both of which will stay open.
There is no suggestion of closing any other post offices in Milton Ward. Post offices in Magdalene Drive and Milton Road West look safe in this review. They stay open - for now.
Post Office Ltd say they have done a comprehensive review of the network of post offices in East Edinburgh and Musselburgh. They intend to re-invest in those post offices which will remain open. They claim the current urban network is too vast for the amount of custom it gets, despite their efforts to increase the business it handles. They want to ensure the future viability of the whole network.
Bingham Post Office closed on 21 February 2003 and Newcraighall on 9 August 2003, in the face local campaigns to keep them open. But we can still argue our case for retaining Joppa and the others. The Post Office say that in Bingham and Newcraighall the 'nominated receiving branches received the additional business without difficulty'. That seems to be their sole concern. They claim that the further closures are necessary to "provide a strong and sustainable network of PO Branches". They say they want to be able to ensure facilities for disabled customers are improved and the opening hours increased.
Joppa is one of the post offices which has a very low customer base, whereas Portobello or the Jewel post offices are in "a more vibrant retail centre". There is a good transport system and concessionary fares for the elderly and disabled to get from Joppa to Portobello. The Post Office clearly don't want to invest in the Joppa one. The documentation says of Joppa: "The office is on the coast in a residential area. Housing is mainly privately owned, with a number of homes at the more expensive end of the market. The majority of (Joppa) Post Office customers are elderly. There are few business customers." and "The office is dark and congested. The Post Office screen is of an old style." The alternatives at Portobello (0.6 miles away) and Asda (0.9 miles away). These are open at lunchtime.
Local people will be expected to be able and willing to travel further if they need a post office service.
Public consultation on these proposals begins now and lasts for 6 weeks so we've got until 22 September. But I would want to get my response in a lot earlier than that as the City of Edinburgh Council will also take a view. The Council is gathering views from local Councillors and I would want to reflect people's views as well as I possibly can.
The Post Office is a national organisation, so the responsibility is more for the MP and MSP for the areas affected. Gavin Strang MP and Susan MSP have had a number of meetings with the Post Office in recent months. They are disappointed that so many local post offices are earmarked for closure on the East side of the City. They recognise that the closure of a local Post Office can be of particular concern to the elderly and less mobile. They will be taking the lead in pursuing these issues with the Post Office management.
I have copied Gavin and Susan into this e mail, so you can contact them direct by e mail if you so wish. We have more details and documentation if you need it.
It is crucial that local people - those who are affected by these proposals - voice their concerns with the Post Office consultation team and the consumer watchdog Postwatch. Gavin and Susan want to fully represent the views of their constituents in their discussions with the Post Office. This is the beginning of a consultation process and no final decisions have yet been taken. Susan, Gavin and local Councillors will meet with community organisations and constituents from the all areas affected to ensure that there is a comprehensive dialogue with the Post Office throughout the consultation period.
If you want to respond direct to the Post Office Ltd, the contact is Andy Byfield, Head of Area, Post Office Ltd, c/o National Consultation Team, PO Box 2060, Watford, WD18 8ZW (Telephone 0191 512 3494). Full details of all PO branches is on their website at www.postoffice.co.uk The independent watchdog, Postwatch, can be contacted at Postwatch, 28 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0TT.
Its been a long, long day!
