Lib Dems Hit Out Over Post Office Closures

2.17.06pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 9th Oct 2008

Local Liberal Democrat councillor Alex Woodman has today criticised the decision by Post Office Ltd to temporarily close their Queens Road branch at the Triangle.

Post Office Ltd have announced plans to close the branch on 24th October, claiming that their "current partners have tendered their resignation" and that "the premises are no longer available for Post Office use". The Post Office have now begun searching for a new "retail partner" in the local area who would be willing to offer Post Office services.

Cllr Woodman commented, "Our Post Offices are always a key part of the local community, and that is no different for this branch. However, the Queens Road Post Office also serves a number of local businesses and employees, as well as visitors to the area and students."

"Post Office Ltd should never have allowed this situation to arise. If they were aware that the branch would be closing, alternative provision should have been found in the local area in anticipation of the closure."

Clifton East councillor Mike Popham expressed concerns about the impact of the closure on local residents in his ward.

He said, "The Government have failed to factor in the impact of Post Office closures on older people who may find it difficult to travel far. Many local residents who would have walked to this branch might now be unable to travel to other branches."

"As a result, a number of people are being disenfranchised from using Post Office services as a consequence of the Government's failure to properly diversify the network."

Stephen Williams, Lib Dem MP for Bristol West, also condemned the closure.

He said, "The closure of other nearby branches, such as St Michael's Hill, or Colston Street, already means that the Post Office network is incredibly fragile, and so temporary closures such as this put huge amounts of pressure on the remaining branches."

"When Post Office Ltd enters into partnerships with retailers to offer services, there is always the risk that closure of the retailer's premises will result in the Post Office closing. The Queens Road branch is a main Post Office, providing services such as car tax renewal and passport checking. It should have been kept open as a separate, independent branch."