Consultation Starts On Changes To Post Office Network – Post Office Ltd announces plans for Newport and Gwent Valleys
Post Office Ltd opened a six-week local public consultation on its Area Plan for the Newport and Gwent Valleys area. In line with the criteria and factors set by the UK 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 126 Post Office® branches across the Newport and Gwent Valleys area, including establishing three new innovative Outreach service points, but to close 25 existing branches. (See full list below).
Under the proposals, more than 99.6 pct of the area’s population will either see no change, or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.
The detailed Area Plan proposal for Newport and Gwent Valleys area is now available from Post Office Ltd at: www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or by emailing: [email protected] or by writing to: Post Office Ltd, Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp required)
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. Consultation is due to end on February 25, 2008.
The UK Government has already undertaken a 12-week national consultation before reaching a decision to reduce the UK-wide network of Post Office branches by up to 2,500 from its current level of over 14,000, while continuing to provide funding (subject to EU state-aid clearance) to support a more sustainable network in the future. The proposals now published support the national accessibility criteria introduced by the UK Government.
Steve Geraty, Post Office Ltd’s Network Development Manager for Wales, said: “Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers. We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on, or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes and able to give views on them.”
Under the Area Plan proposals, 92.9pct of the area’s population will retain their existing Post Office branch. Where there is change, 6.7pct of our customers would have access to Post Office services within one mile by road distance to the nearest alternative branch.
Post Office Ltd has reached these proposals after engaging with, and taking input from, the independent consumer watchdog for postal services, Postwatch, and from all local authorities within the area, and has 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 welcomed during the consultation process.
