Consultation Starts on Changes To Post Office Network – East Yorkshire, Bassetlaw and North Lincolnshire
Post Office Ltd today opened a six-week local public consultation on its Area Plan for the East Yorkshire with Bassetlaw and North Lincolnshire area. In line with the criteria and factors set by the Government in its Response Document (DTI The Post Office Network, Government response to public consultation May 2007 – www.dti.gov.uk/consultations/page36024.html), the Area Plan proposes future provision of Post Office services through a network of 336 branches across the area, resulting in the closure of 45 existing branches (see full list below).
Under the proposals, more than 99 pct of the area’s population will either see no change, or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch. In addition to the 336 branches which are proposed to remain in the East Yorkshire with Bassetlaw and North Lincolnshire area. Post Office Ltd is proposing to establish 24 outreach services, which would use innovative ways to continue to provide Post Office services, particularly in smaller communities where the existing branch is proposed for closure.
Possible types of outreach service in the East Yorkshire with Bassetlaw and North Lincolnshire area could include a mobile service visiting small communities at set times, a hosted service operated within a third party premises for restricted hours each week, or a partner service within the premises of a local partner such as a pub landlord.
Post Office Ltd is now seeking views on the proposed future service provision in the area, in particular views on access to Post Office services, the accessibility of alternative branches to those proposed for closure and the appropriate form of Outreach to be provided. Consultation is due to end on 12 November 2007.
Under the Area Plan proposals, 91.2 pct of the area’s population will see no change at all to their nearest branch. A further 7.4 pct would have access to Post Office services within one mile by road distance from the nearest alternative branch, with 2.5 pct being within half a mile.
