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| Closure plan for 52 post offices | Closure plan for 52 post offices |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Post Office is announcing plans to close 52 branches across north Wales, part of proposals to cut numbers across the UK by 2,500. | The Post Office is announcing plans to close 52 branches across north Wales, part of proposals to cut numbers across the UK by 2,500. |
| Managers say they must reduce the existing 271 branches, although closing any was "always very difficult". | Managers say they must reduce the existing 271 branches, although closing any was "always very difficult". |
| Fourteen branches could provide an "outreach service", which could mean a mobile post office visiting an area. | Fourteen branches could provide an "outreach service", which could mean a mobile post office visiting an area. |
| A seven-week consultation process is beginning but the closure programme is already facing fierce opposition. | A seven-week consultation process is beginning but the closure programme is already facing fierce opposition. |
| North Wales Liberal Democrat regional assembly member Eleanor Burnham said she was "appalled" by a a proposal which she argued would affect the elderly and vulnerable hardest. | North Wales Liberal Democrat regional assembly member Eleanor Burnham said she was "appalled" by a a proposal which she argued would affect the elderly and vulnerable hardest. |
| However, managers said more than 98% of the public would see no change. | However, managers said more than 98% of the public would see no change. |
| Many rural villages will now lose an integral part of the community structure and it is the elderly and vulnerable who will be hardest hit Eleanor Burnham AM | Many rural villages will now lose an integral part of the community structure and it is the elderly and vulnerable who will be hardest hit Eleanor Burnham AM |
| One part of the proposals means communities might have a mobile post office, or possibly a post office being set up in a premises a few hours each week. | |
| This is the latest consultation on proposed closures across Wales. | This is the latest consultation on proposed closures across Wales. |
| Steve Geraty, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for North Wales, said taking the decision to close any branch is "always very difficult". | Steve Geraty, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for North Wales, said taking the decision to close any branch is "always very difficult". |
| CLOSURE LIST Anglesey: Caergeiliog, Holyhead; Church Terrace, Holyhead; Four Mile Bridge, Holyhead; Llaingoch Community Centre, Holyhead; Ffordd Deg, Llanbedrgoch; Bron Craig, Old Llandegfan; Siop Isa, Talwrn, LlangefniConwy: Abergeke Road, Colwyn Bay; Llandudno Road, Rhos-on-Sea; Church Drive, Rhos-on-Sea; Penmaen Road, Morfa; Alexandra Road, Llandudno; Conway Road, Llandudno JunctionDenbighshire: Trevor, Llangollen; Gronant, Prestatyn; Rhyl East Road, Rhyl; Grange Road, Rhyl; Clocaenog, Ruthin; Llanfwrog, RuthinGwynedd: Carneddi, Bethesda; Gerlan, Bethesda; Talybont, Barmouth; Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog; Cwmyglo, Caernarfon; Llanwnda, Caernarfon; Deiniolen, Caernarfon; Llanfrothen; Penmorfa, near Porthmadog; Bwlchtocyn, Pwllheli; Llangian, near Abersoch; West End, PwllheliFlintshire: Golftyn, Deeside; Londis Stores, Holywell; Bronant, Holywell; Brynford, Holywell; Carmel, Holywell; Reflections Hairdressers, Mold; Ruthin Road, Mold; New Brighton, Mold; Rhosesmor, MoldWrexham:Cymau Road; Marchwiel; New Broughton; Ponciau; Rhos y Medre; Tanyfron; Acton Park; Bradley; Rhosrobin; Summerhill Powys:Aberangell, Machynlleth | |
| "We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes, and able to give views on them. | "We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes, and able to give views on them. |
| He said rural north Wales - where 76% of the population live - would be served by 240 branches. | He said rural north Wales - where 76% of the population live - would be served by 240 branches. |
| The town or urban area would have 31 branches - which includes six main post offices. | The town or urban area would have 31 branches - which includes six main post offices. |
| A further nine will serve communities defined as deprived and another 132 which provide the only access to money in a particular community. | A further nine will serve communities defined as deprived and another 132 which provide the only access to money in a particular community. |
| Mr Geraty said: "We believe these proposals offer the best prospect for a sustainable way forward for post office services in north Wales, bearing in mind the minimum access criteria and the other factors which we have to consider." | Mr Geraty said: "We believe these proposals offer the best prospect for a sustainable way forward for post office services in north Wales, bearing in mind the minimum access criteria and the other factors which we have to consider." |
| Ms Burnham said: "Many rural villages will now lose an integral part of the community structure and it is the elderly and vulnerable who will be hardest hit. | Ms Burnham said: "Many rural villages will now lose an integral part of the community structure and it is the elderly and vulnerable who will be hardest hit. |
| "The closure of post offices means that people often have to travel quite a distance to get to post office, causing great inconvenience. Losing a local post office will leave the elderly and those with limited mobility feeling isolated." | "The closure of post offices means that people often have to travel quite a distance to get to post office, causing great inconvenience. Losing a local post office will leave the elderly and those with limited mobility feeling isolated." |
| Darren Millar, Conservative AM for Clwyd West, said: "It is clear many communities in Conwy and Denbighshire will now have a battle on their hands if they are to keep the services which so many of them depend upon." | Darren Millar, Conservative AM for Clwyd West, said: "It is clear many communities in Conwy and Denbighshire will now have a battle on their hands if they are to keep the services which so many of them depend upon." |
| Plaid Cymru Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams MP added : "Our job is to make sure the people's voice is heard as clearly as is possible and that they hear directly from the post office what the reasons for any proposed closures. | Plaid Cymru Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams MP added : "Our job is to make sure the people's voice is heard as clearly as is possible and that they hear directly from the post office what the reasons for any proposed closures. |
| A series of meetings will be held in his constituency in August and September, he said. | A series of meetings will be held in his constituency in August and September, he said. |