Campaign to save under-attack PO steps up a gear

10:12am Monday 21st April 2008

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THE campaign to save East Hamlet Post Office in Ludlow from closure has moved into top gear.

A steering group is working on alternative plans as part of the public consultation.

Peter Cook, chair of Ludlow Chamber of Trade, said: "It's clear that a well-researched case is needed if post office facilities in East Hamlet are to stand any chance of being preserved. The ball is rolling on some very constructive approaches.

"We know the kind of research we need to organise in order to make that case."

East Hamlet is one of 14 branches facing closure in Ludlow MP Philip Dunne's constituency, which stretches from Bridgnorth to the Welsh border. Mr Dunne has called a series of public meetings across the constituency on May 9.

He said: "Petitions and individual responses to the proposals will all help the case for East Hamlet and, indeed, for all the Post Offices in Shropshire that are on the proposed list for closure or outreach.

"But in the case of East Hamlet, it's good to be working with the local Chamber of Trade and local members on a cross-party basis.

"I hope local residents concerned about the loss of East Hamlet will come to the meeting to tell Post Office management what this will mean to them and our community."

The panel at each meeting, to be chaired by Mr Dunne, will include senior managers from the Post Office. Among them will be the senior staff member responsible for the review network, development manager Mark Partington and head of external relations Michael Dalton. Steve Lax, network change advisor for the consumer body Postwatch, will also be present.

The meetings are at: St Peter's Hall, Henley Road, Ludlow, 11am.

Craven Arms Community Centre 1pm.

Lydbury North Village Hall 3pm.

Worthen Village Hall, 4.30pm.

Worfield Recreation Rooms, Worfield, 7pm.

South Shropshire District Council has launched a cross-party response to the closure plan. Council leader Cecilia Motley said: "Our rural areas are under attack. We're doing all we can to defend our local communities and preserve the facilities they offer."

Colin Pendry, leader of the council's Shropshire Independent Group added: "The knock-on effects of post office closures are likely to be disastrous for our communities.

"It's clear that the proposals have the potential to devastate local businesses and local communities."

Deadline for the public consultation is June 9. The council urged residents to make their views known directly, by post to: National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, FREEPOST NATIONAL CONSULTATION TEAM. No stamp is required. People can also comment by logging onto postoffice.co.uk or calling 08457 223344.