Royal Mail announce further service cuts across east and south of Scotland
Dozens of post offices have been earmarked for closure or downgrading in the latest round of cuts to the service.
Post Office officials said today a six-week consultation on shutting 26 branches has been launched in Edinburgh, the Lothians and the south of Scotland. It is proposed a further 32 will be replaced by so-called outreach services, including mobile post offices.
The move is part of the UK government’s plans to close around 2,500 post offices across Britain by 2009.
Sally Buchanan, Post Office Ltd’s network development manager for Scotland, 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.”
Buchanan added that communities in Edinburgh, the Lothians and south of Scotland would continue to be served by a total of 294 branches.
A total of 119 post office closures across Scotland have already been confirmed. A further 70 are threatened with the axe, including the 26 announced on Tuesday (!9th August).
West Lothian Council said it was disappointed by news of the proposed closures, which includes three in its area.
Executive councillor for development and transport, Martyn Day, said: “This is obviously the most disappointing news. It is a particular setback for three isolated communities who face the worrying prospect of losing their local post office services. If this closure threat is implemented it will be a major blow for vulnerable people who value having a local post office.”
Lindsay Scott of Help the Aged Scotland said: “Our experiences show that regardless of how good an argument you put forward the decisions have already been made. You may save one post office, but another will be closed down the road. It is, I believe, a money-making concern. The whole exercise is futile and a foregone conclusion.”
