Decisions on East Essex and Suffolk Post Office® Branches Announced
Post Office Ltd today announced decisions on the future of Post Office® branches across East Essex and Suffolk area following a six week public consultation ending on 19 November. Post Office® services will be provided through a network of 357 branches, which supports the national accessibility criteria introduced by the Government and ensures that 99 pct of the county’s population will either see no change to their existing branch or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.
The plan confirmed today means that 47 branches will close in East Essex and Suffolk with the first closures scheduled to take place in January 2008. These branches were detailed in the Area Plan proposal published on 9 October 2007.
The replacement of 17 branches by outreach solutions was also confirmed in principle today subject to final agreement with Postwatch. Post Office Ltd is now working on finalising the details of the specific solution that replaces each branch, this information will be published shortly. The outreach solutions could include a mobile service visiting small communities at set times, a hosted service operated within third party premises for restricted hours each week, or a partner service within the premises of a local partner .
Three branches originally proposed for closure – Fore Street, Honeycroft Lawford and Warley Road (Hill) – will now remain open following a review of the issues raised during consultation. One of the proposed closures, Cretingham branch, will now be considered as a proposal for an outreach solution.
During public consultation, feedback highlighted a variety of concerns in relation to our proposals for the Fore Street branch. Many people mentioned the new developments in the area and the impact of the change on the local community. Some customers expressed concern about the distance, terrain and parking facilities available in relation to the alternative branches. We have taken into account the amount of redevelopment in the area as well as the recent addition of the University Campus Suffolk. Taking all relevant factors into consideration, Post Office Ltd has decided not to proceed with the closure of Post Office® Fore St branch.
The main concerns raised to us during the local public consultation, concerning the Honeycroft Lawford branch related the fact that the branch is next door to a sheltered housing development for the elderly. Post Office Ltd has re-examined the case for the closure of this branch and has taken into consideration points such as terrain, public transport facilities and the large numbers of elderly and infirm people in the surrounding area.
In relation to Warley Road (Hill) branch, customers made us aware that the branch was situated in Warley Hill, not Warley Road as stated on our consultation materials. We were also advised that the alternative branch at Brentwood is not along level terrain and that there is inadequate parking and poor bus services to the alternative branches. Respondents also raised concern that our proposals would increase congestion in the town centre. We have carefully re-examined this proposal taking into account the journey to the nearest branch, the terrain, as well as the ability of the alternative branches to cope with the additional footfall.
These decisions have been reached after consultation and Postwatch, the consumer body representing Post Office® customers, has verified the correct consultation procedures were followed. Postwatch has confirmed that it will not ask for any decision to be further reviewed by Post Office Ltd.
