UK Royal Mail accused of double dealing

Mail chiefs have been accused of using underhand tactics to force through the closure of Post Offices in some of Tyneside’s most deprived areas.

The Post Office plans to axe 23 small branches in a bid to cut debts.

Numerous campaigns have started to save offices and mail watchdog, Postwatch, has accused the Post Office of flouting Government rules on shutting offices in deprived urban areas.

The claims centre on a rule which states no such office should be closed unless there is another within half a mile.

Postwatch claims the Post Office is cynically getting around this rule by using the loophole of closing two at a time in the same area.

Judith Donovan, Postwatch’s North East chairwoman, said: “Labour’s Post Office Minister, Stephen Timms, told Parliament in 2002 that offices in urban, deprived areas were to be given special protection.

“He announced the half a mile rule and the Post Office is now trying to get around it. They are doing this not openly, but by trying to exploit the loophole of closing two offices at once. I am amazed at the disregard the Post Office shows towards its customers.”

Among the branches proposed for closure are Armstrong Road and West Benwell, both in the Tyne Bridge constituency.

If either office was shut separately, the remaining one would be protected under the rule, but by closing both at once the Post Office gets around the problem.

The pattern is mirrored in other areas of Newcastle, like Cowgate and Fenham.

Mrs Donovan said: “Armstrong Road and West Benwell is not an isolated incident.

“I promise the customers concerned I will do all I can to keep one of the offices open.

“We have written to Stephen Timms to seek his help with ensuring the Post Office honour its commitment to Parliament.”

In October last year, Mr Timms, said in Parliament: “Other than in the most exceptional circumstances, the scope of the programme will not extend to any offices in urban, deprived areas that are more than half a mile from the next Post Office.”

Those affected in Newcastle are South Jesmond Post Office in Jesmond Road; Union Society, in the Union Society Building; Shieldfield, in Wrexham Place; Heaton Park; South Gosforth, in Station Road; Fenham, in Fenham Hall Drive; Spital Tongues, in Bell Grove; Denton, in West Road; Cowgate, in Ponteland Road; Ashburton, in Ashburton Road; Armstrong Road; Elswick Road; West Benwell Road; Raby Street, in Raby Cross; Coxlodge, in Carrfield Road; and Hill Head, in Downend Road. Those in Wallsend are Rosehill, in Willington Terrace and High Street East.

Facing closure in Gateshead are Deckham Hill Post Office, in Old Durham Road; Duncow, in The Crescent; Fieldhouse Road, in Brighton Road; Low Team, in Askew Road West and Prince Consort Road Post Office.

Postwatch does not have the power to veto the proposed closures but has vowed to fight them.