Parliamentary spokesmen slam post office closures

2:22pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

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THE proposed closures of four Wyre Forest post offices have been slammed by prospective parliamentary candidates in the area.

The post offices in Wolverley, The Walshes in Stourport, Park Lane in Harvington and Comberton Hill in Kidderminster are on a list of 56 premises across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands that are proposed for closure.

A six-week public consultation begins today, during which residents are encouraged to air their views on the proposals before a final decision is made on which post offices will be closed.

Neville Farmer, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman, has accused Royal Mail of “conning the public”.

He explained: “When Royal Mail closed Aggborough post office a few years ago, they argued that residents could easily reach Comberton Hill instead.

“Now they want to close the Comberton Hill branch as well and say people can walk to Burcher Green or Crown House.

“Residents have been conned and the Liberal Democrats and Liberals will fight this in the coming six-week consultancy period.”

Speaking about the Najran family that runs the Comberton Hill post office, councillor Farmer said: “They run a profitable and efficient business situated at a crucial point for the Magistrates Court, Severn Valley Railway tourists and many small businesses and residents over a huge area.

“It is also one of very few post offices where people in wheelchairs can park right outside and get around the shop with ease. At Crown House, you can park round the back for 30 minutes but it can take 45 minutes just to get served.”

Mark Garnier, Conservative parliamentary spokesman for Wyre Forest, said he had been campaigning against the closures “for some time” and would continue to do so during the consultation process.

He explained: “If we mount a local campaign to save one of the four slated for closure and are successful, someone else will lose their post office elsewhere within Wyre Forest.

“That is why we must stand firm on this and deliver a resounding message to Gordon Brown that Wyre Forest does not want any unwelcome closures.”

He added: “Post offices do cost the taxpayer, but the services that post offices offer to a community are worth that cost. A post office is an important community resource and is a service that should be cherished.”