SANDRA GIDLEY ATTACKS 'SUSTAINED ASSAULT' ON POST OFFICE NETWORK

10.30.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 16th Oct 2007

Romsey's MP, Sandra Gidley, today (Tuesday) slammed Government plans to close 62 Post Offices in Hampshire.

Ministers say there will now be a six-week long 'consultation' with local people but Sandra says her constituents have little confidence in the process following what she has called a 'determined assault on the Post Office network' by successive Conservative and Labour governments.

Nationally Labour have closed 4,000 post offices and are now consulting on a further 2,500 closures. However it was the previous Conservative government that started the decimation of the post offices closing over 3,500.

The Romsey constituency will see two branches close in Chilworth and Leckford. Also the branches in Lockerly and West Tytherley will become part-time 'outreach' services with Lockerly open eight hours a week and West Tytherley open seven hours a week.

Commenting on the news, local MP Sandra Gidley said:

"Post offices are at the heart of so many communities across Hampshire. Yet Ministers are playing fast and loose with the sustainability of the network.

"The Government is systematically destroying the post office livelihood. It has caused the increase in closures by undermining the Post Office card account. Small post offices could have stayed viable if they had been allowed to process vehicle licence renewals and passport reviews. The loss of BBC licence fees was yet another nail in the coffin

"Instead of closures, the Government should modernise the network and encourage greater efficiency and profitability. My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I are committed to an additional £2 billion investment to create a thriving network.

"At this rate Government policy will systematically destroy many vital community facilities all in the name of a misguided interpretation of progress. These closures will directly affect many elderly and vulnerable people who will be forced to travel further afield to collect their benefits and their basic supplies. It will also destroy the livelihoods of many small businesses that serve their local communities well.

"Our postal services have a proud 300 year history which this Government has decimated in less than a decade.

"I will be doing all I can to fight for our local post offices, and I urge people to take part in the consultation and let their voices be heard.

Notes to Editors

The Post Office Network Change Programme- Area Plan Proposal for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight was published on 16th October 2007, and local public consultation will commence from 16th October for six weeks until 26th November.

Any views and comments in writing regarding access to future Post Office services in the Area should be sent to Tim Nickolls, Network Development Manager, C/o National Consultation Team, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM.

Lockerley Green and West Tytherley have been proposed for outreach services with eight and seven designated hours per week

Chilworth Close and Leckford branches have been proposed for closure.