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| Closure threat on 13 post offices | Closure threat on 13 post offices |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Thirteen post offices in mid Wales have been earmarked for possible closure as part of Post Office Ltd's UK-wide network review. | Thirteen post offices in mid Wales have been earmarked for possible closure as part of Post Office Ltd's UK-wide network review. |
| The proposals also include establishing 24 outreach service points which will replace branches in some areas. | The proposals also include establishing 24 outreach service points which will replace branches in some areas. |
| The public can have their say on the matter until 19 May. | |
| Conservatives and Liberal Democrats criticised the plans which could see branches in Montgomeryshire, Ceredigion and Brecon & Radnorshire areas close. | Conservatives and Liberal Democrats criticised the plans which could see branches in Montgomeryshire, Ceredigion and Brecon & Radnorshire areas close. |
| The announcement follows the decision to close 29 branches in Cardiff, Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan and valleys. | The announcement follows the decision to close 29 branches in Cardiff, Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan and valleys. |
| A decision on 25 threatened branches across the Newport and Gwent Valleys has yet to be made. | A decision on 25 threatened branches across the Newport and Gwent Valleys has yet to be made. |
| The proposals for mid Wales will leave 153 post offices - five branches in towns and 148 in rural areas. | The proposals for mid Wales will leave 153 post offices - five branches in towns and 148 in rural areas. |
| CLOSURE LIST Llandrindod Wells: Tremont RoadLlandrindod Wells: Ridgebourne, Grosvenor RoadBrecon: Westend Service Station, Church Street, LlanfaesBrecon: Pendre Spar store, BryndewintonPresteigne: EvenjobbBlaenannerch: mobile service by BT telephone box, A487Llandysul: GlynarthenLampeter: Abermeurig mobile serviceLampeter: Talsarn mobile service, B4337 Main RoadSwansea: Cwmgiedd, 50-52 Heol Giedd, YstradgynlaisNewtown 4 Oakfield Terrace, Llanidloes RoadNewtown: Garth OwenAberystwyth: Llanfarian | CLOSURE LIST Llandrindod Wells: Tremont RoadLlandrindod Wells: Ridgebourne, Grosvenor RoadBrecon: Westend Service Station, Church Street, LlanfaesBrecon: Pendre Spar store, BryndewintonPresteigne: EvenjobbBlaenannerch: mobile service by BT telephone box, A487Llandysul: GlynarthenLampeter: Abermeurig mobile serviceLampeter: Talsarn mobile service, B4337 Main RoadSwansea: Cwmgiedd, 50-52 Heol Giedd, YstradgynlaisNewtown 4 Oakfield Terrace, Llanidloes RoadNewtown: Garth OwenAberystwyth: Llanfarian |
| The region currently has 166 post offices. | The region currently has 166 post offices. |
| The company says more than 98.8% of the region's 200,000 population will either see no change or will remain within one mile, by road, of an alternative branch. | The company says more than 98.8% of the region's 200,000 population will either see no change or will remain within one mile, by road, of an alternative branch. |
| The new outreach service points will provide Post Office services for a designated number of hours per week in that particular area and could be located within a mobile van, a host shop or village hall. | The new outreach service points will provide Post Office services for a designated number of hours per week in that particular area and could be located within a mobile van, a host shop or village hall. |
| In very small communities, a home service could be provided whereby a sub postmaster delivers a reduced range of Post Office products and services which can be ordered over the telephone. | In very small communities, a home service could be provided whereby a sub postmaster delivers a reduced range of Post Office products and services which can be ordered over the telephone. |
| Under the plans, 89.3% of the area's population will retain their existing post office branch, said Post Office Ltd. | Under the plans, 89.3% of the area's population will retain their existing post office branch, said Post Office Ltd. |
| Where there is a change, 9.5% would have access to Post Office services within one mile by road distance to the nearest alternative branch. | Where there is a change, 9.5% would have access to Post Office services within one mile by road distance to the nearest alternative branch. |
| Post Office Ltd said it had consulted with postal watchdog Postwatch and all the local authorities within the area to come up with the plans. | Post Office Ltd said it had consulted with postal watchdog Postwatch and all the local authorities within the area to come up with the plans. |
| While the use of Outreach services like mobile units is to be welcomed, it is a very poor substitute for the real thing Nick Bourne, AM | While the use of Outreach services like mobile units is to be welcomed, it is a very poor substitute for the real thing Nick Bourne, AM |
| It said it had considered geographical issues, the availability of public transport, local demographics and the impact on local economies in making its plans. | It said it had considered geographical issues, the availability of public transport, local demographics and the impact on local economies in making its plans. |
| But the Liberal Democrat MP and AM for the Brecon and Radnorshire area - Roger Williams and Kirsty Williams - said the announcement was "shattering" and "devastating". | But the Liberal Democrat MP and AM for the Brecon and Radnorshire area - Roger Williams and Kirsty Williams - said the announcement was "shattering" and "devastating". |
| Mr Williams said the pair would be meeting all the affected town and community councils in order to build up individual cases against each of the proposed closures. | Mr Williams said the pair would be meeting all the affected town and community councils in order to build up individual cases against each of the proposed closures. |
| Meanwhile, Conservatives said the mobile outreach units would result in a far more limited service. | Meanwhile, Conservatives said the mobile outreach units would result in a far more limited service. |
| "People will be forced to fit around a timetable for accessing Post Office services," said Nick Bourne, AM for mid and west Wales and leader of the Welsh Conservatives. | "People will be forced to fit around a timetable for accessing Post Office services," said Nick Bourne, AM for mid and west Wales and leader of the Welsh Conservatives. |
| "This is incredibly restrictive for those who work and the elderly. | "This is incredibly restrictive for those who work and the elderly. |
| Local elections | Local elections |
| "While the use of outreach services like mobile units is to be welcomed, it is a very poor substitute for the real thing." | "While the use of outreach services like mobile units is to be welcomed, it is a very poor substitute for the real thing." |
| The normal consultation period of six weeks has been extended by three weeks and three days to allow for the local elections and the Easter holidays. | The normal consultation period of six weeks has been extended by three weeks and three days to allow for the local elections and the Easter holidays. |
| Post Office Ltd said it would be suspending its consultation activity, including participating in public meetings or announcing final decisions on closures, from 10 April until 2 May. | Post Office Ltd said it would be suspending its consultation activity, including participating in public meetings or announcing final decisions on closures, from 10 April until 2 May. |
| The plans are part of a wider restructuring of Post Office services throughout the UK. | The plans are part of a wider restructuring of Post Office services throughout the UK. |
| Altogether, 2,500 post offices - a fifth of those left - are to close by 2009. | Altogether, 2,500 post offices - a fifth of those left - are to close by 2009. |