SANDRA SLAMS POST OFFICE CLOSURES

12.00.00am GMT Wed 9th Jan 2008

Romsey's MP, Sandra Gidley, has today slammed Ministers' decision to close two local Post Offices and to replace two more branches with 'outreach services'.

It has been announced this morning that Chilworth and Leckford are to close, while Lockerley and West Tytherley will operate a reduced service of eight and seven designated hours per week.

Commenting today from Westminster, Sandra Gidley MP said:

"This news will come as a real blow to the people of Chilworth, Leckford, Lockerly and West Tytherley. These changes have been on the cards since October, although I had hoped that we may have been able to stop these savage cuts in service. There was massive public opposition to the closures.

"Obviously however, the Post Office refused to heed our calls and has chosen to treat the affected communities with nothing but contempt. I am angry that the whole consultation has been nothing short of a sham. Only one post office in the whole of Hampshire has been saved and one extra is closing completely unexpectedly.

Sandra says the closure will hit the most vulnerable members of the community hardest when the post offices close their doors for the last time.

"If they haven't got transport it is an absolute disaster for them," Sandra said.

"The Post Office statement that they are "not in the business of closing the last shop in the village" has proved to be a hollow promise as the shops in Leckford and west Tytherley rely heavily on income from the post office side of the business.

"The Post Office network right across the UK is being starved. Through the loss of pensions and benefits payments the Government have taken away £400 million of business from post offices and the loss of the television licence business was another huge blow.

"I only hope that these closures will be the last ones to hit our local area, and that in the fullness of time, service to Chilworth and Leckford can be restored."

ENDS