15 local post offices under closure threat

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 13th Aug 2002

The Post Office is planning a massive "reinvention" programme for urban post offices which will result in a THIRD of all branches closing nationally.

If a third of post offices do close locally as well as nationally, this could mean 7 of Twickenham's 20 branches closing and 8 out of 23 in Richmond Park.

Vincent Cable MP has been able to obtain, for the first time, a breakdown of sub post offices on a constituency basis and applying the national average for expected cuts the number as follow: Current sub post offices Expected closures Twickenham 20 7 Richmond Park 23 8 Kingston and Surbiton 20 7 Brentford and Isleworth 22 7 Feltham and Hounslow 18 6 Vincent Cable said: "I understand that local post masters are already being sounded out about whether they wish to close and take compensation. Within a few months there will be an announcement of the sub post office branches that are to close and there will be a perfunctory 'public consultation'."

"I am very concerned that a massive closure programme will take place taking very little account of the needs of pensioners and others who need access to a local post office and cannot walk long distances especially in winter and are in areas badly serviced by bus services."

"It is important that we know as soon as possible where the closures are planned so that residents who are badly affected can appeal and hopefully have decisions reversed".