Tag: Europe

Post Office Ltd today opened a six week local public consultation on its Area Plan for West Berkshire and Wiltshire. The formal period of public consultation is six weeks but this has been extended by ten calendar days for this plan to allow for the Christmas and New Year breaks. In line with the criteria and factors set by the Government in its Response document, DTI The Post Office Network, Government response to public consultation May 2007 the Area Plan proposes future provision of Post Office® services through a network of 234 branches across the area, resulting in the closure of 36 existing branches.

Under the proposals, more than 99.4pct of the area’s population will either see no change to their nearest branch, or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

In addition to the 223 branches which are proposed to remain in the West Berkshire and Wiltshire area, Post Office Ltd is proposing to establish 11 outreach services, which would use innovative ways to continue to provide Post Office services- particularly in smaller communities – where the existing branch is proposed for closure.

Possible types of outreach service in West Berkshire and Wiltshire 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.

Post Office Ltd today announced decisions on the future of Post Office® branches across the East Midlands area following a six week public consultation ending on 12 November. Post Office® services will be provided through a network of 360 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 75 branches will close in the East Midlands’ with the first closures scheduled to take place in January 2008. These branches were detailed in the Area Plan proposal published on 2 October 2007.

The replacement of 11 branches by outreach solutions was also confirmed in principal 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 .

Two branches originally proposed for closure – Melton Road and Ryhall Road – will now remain open following a review of the issues raised during consultation.