Bath Councillors Appalled to Learn of Post Office Hit List

4.01.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 22nd Feb 2008

The Post Office Network Change list for Bristol and Somerset has been revealed in the press today. Four Bath Post Offices are down for closure and Liberal Democrat Councillors with threatened Post Offices in their wards are campaigning with Don Foster MP against the Government plans.

Councillor Colin Darracott (Walcot) was appalled to learn that Claremont Post Office in Walcot is on the list, saying, "Local people in Walcot will certainly be outraged to hear the Government is planning to close their Post Office. It is a focal point of local life in the community and certainly contributes to keeping the Camden Road shops busy.

"I urge all residents to support the campaign to save Bath's Post Offices, and to sign the petition on our website."

Councillor Caroline Roberts (Newbridge) who is a regular patron of the Lower Weston Post Office, said, "After the closure of Yomede Post Office, local people were hoping that the Lower Weston Post Office on Newbridge Road would be safe. Since the closure of Yomede, elderly people in Newbridge area have already had to take the bus to get to Lower Weston. The nearest Post Office will now be in Weston Village - which is not on a bus route - or the city centre.

Cllr Caroline Roberts with ward colleague Loraine Brinkhurst and Don Foster MP outside the Lower Weston Post Office, rumoured to be closing

"The future of the very popular shop attached to the Post Office is now in jeopardy."

Councillor Marian McNeir (Lyncombe) spoke of how shocked she is at the Government's proposal to close the Post Office on Bear Flat, "I just don't believe this. Bear Flat is a vibrant shopping area and many people depend on being able to walk to the local shops, including the Post Office. It is an essential part of our daily lives and I think it is ridiculous to expect local residents to drive or take a bus into the town centre - this could be impossible for elderly people and young families. Why should they have to have this type of inconvenience when we have a successful Post Office on our doorstep?

This is a backward step which does nothing to help local people. I call on the govt to reconsider."

Don Foster MP said, "I am concerned that the social importance of Post Offices is being ignored by the Government. These closures do not take into account the knock-on effect on other shops in the local community. It will be the elderly and vulnerable who are most affected by these closures as they may struggle to travel the extra distance to important services".

To see Don's full comments on the details that appeared in the local media today, then please see www.donfoster.co.uk

To sign the Bath Lib Dems petition, go to http://ourcampaign.org.uk/savebathspostoffices