Plans to fight the proposed closure of East Hamlet Post Office in Ludlow are gathering pace, with politicians from all sides united against the move.
A public meeting on May 9, at 11am in St Peter’s Hall, Henley Road, will discuss the future of the branch, as well as the one in Knowbury, also threatened with closure. The two post offices are part of a group of seven in south Shropshire facing the axe. Also affected are post offices in All Stretton, Aston-on-Clun, Aston Munslow, Lydbury North and Wentnor.
Ludlow’s Conservative MP Philip Dunne has launched a website with an online petition against the plans.
He has written to all households in areas directly affected, encouraging them to join the consultation and sign the petition which he intends to present to the House of Commons before the consultation period on the plans ends on June 9.
Mr Dunne is also arranging public meetings with the management of Post Office Ltd and representatives of Postwatch.
He said: “I am angry south Shropshire has been singled out to take half of the post office closures in the county, including Telford.
“To close 14 out of 47 post offices is a 30 per cent cut – far higher than other areas nationally and far higher than anywhere else in Shropshire. A mobile post office van for a few hours a week will not compensate communities who may lose their last remaining village shop once the post office is gone.”
Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Ludlow, Heather Kidd, has also joined the protest.
She said: “It is clear that there are very strong feelings across these communities. In all these communities the post office is also the shop. Take away the post office and the shop is seriously at risk.”
As a result of the ‘purdah’ period ahead of local elections in many parts of the country, the Post Office is not participating in any meetings or responding to submissions during the period April 10 to May 1.
Written representations can be sent to Post Office Ltd at: National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, FREEPOST National Consultation Team (no stamp required). People can also take part in the consultation by telephone on 08457 223344 or via the website at www.postoffice.co.uk.
For more news on post office closures, see the South Shropshire Journal, April 11, 2008.
