Local Consultations Start in the Highlands of Scotland on Changes to Post Office Network

Post Office Ltd today (8 January 2008) begins local public consultations in the Highlands of Scotland on changes to the Post Office network needed to meet UK Government requirements.

Proposals for the future provision of Post Office® services in the Highlands have been published today and will remain open for consultation for six weeks until 18 February 2008.

Under the Highlands Area Plan Proposals published today, 96.9 pct of the population will either see no change to their nearest branch, or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

Post Office Ltd is seeking views on the proposed future service provision in the Highlands of Scotland, including, in particular, views on access to Post Office® services, the accessibility of alternative branches to those proposed for closure and the appropriate provision of rural outreach services.

Of the 180 Post Office® branches which are proposed to remain open in the Highlands, 11 branches will be operated through a form of outreach service. The plan proposes a reduction of 18 branches from the present number of 198.

The Highands Area Plan includes proposed outreach services in rural communities in:

Kirkhill (Hosted)
Kessock (Partner)
Edderton (Hosted)
Kildary (Hosted)
Cawdor (As we have been unable to date to secure a Hosted site. A Mobile post office is now the proposed option)
Croy (Hosted)
Ardersier (Partner)
Farr (Hosted)
Latheron (Mobile)
Mid Clyth (Mobile)
Canisbay (Mobile)

These services will give customers continued access to post office services in their local communities on a regular basis without having to travel to another branch.

Possible types of outreach service include a mobile post office service visiting small communities at set times; a hosted service operated within third party premises for restricted hours each week; a partner service within the premises of a local partner (such as a shop) or a home service whereby customers can contact a subpostmaster by phone for services.

Under the Area Plan proposals, 87.1pct of the area’s population in total will see no change at all to their nearest branch. Of the 13pct of the total population who use a branch, which is proposed to close, 5.9pct of the population will live within a mile by road distance from the nearest alternative branch, with 0.9pct of the population residing with within ½ a mile and 3pct of the population within a ¼ of a mile.

Post Office Ltd has made these proposals after engaging with and taking input from the independent consumer watchdog on postal services, Postwatch, and from local authorities. It has also considered factors relating to geography, the availability of local transport and alternative access to key Post Office® services, local demographics and the impact on local economies. Views on all these factors are also welcomed during the consultation process.