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Public plea over post office cuts Public plea over post office cuts
(about 1 hour later)
Politicians have issued a "use them or lose them" message after it was confirmed 31 post offices in south Wales are facing closure.Politicians have issued a "use them or lose them" message after it was confirmed 31 post offices in south Wales are facing closure.
The Post Office has launched a six week public consultation. Plans for the rest of Wales are expected by summer 2008.The Post Office has launched a six week public consultation. Plans for the rest of Wales are expected by summer 2008.
Offices affected are in Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, valleys and Bridgend.Offices affected are in Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, valleys and Bridgend.
Jonathan Morgan AM said he had been told that if business cases could be made to keep offices open, they would be considered.Jonathan Morgan AM said he had been told that if business cases could be made to keep offices open, they would be considered.
AMs urged residents to take part in the consultation and prove they need their post office.AMs urged residents to take part in the consultation and prove they need their post office.
Post Office Ltd wants to hear views on the plans before any decision is made.Post Office Ltd wants to hear views on the plans before any decision is made.
Under the proposals announced on Tuesday, the Post Office is considering closing six branches in Cardiff, seven in the Pontypridd area, five in the Rhondda, five in the Cynon Valley, three in Merthyr Tydfil, two in the Vale of Glamorgan, two in the Rhymney Valley, and one in Bridgend.Under the proposals announced on Tuesday, the Post Office is considering closing six branches in Cardiff, seven in the Pontypridd area, five in the Rhondda, five in the Cynon Valley, three in Merthyr Tydfil, two in the Vale of Glamorgan, two in the Rhymney Valley, and one in Bridgend.
It will leave 153 post offices in the area.It will leave 153 post offices in the area.
It insists more than 99.7% of the area's population will either see no change, or will remain within one mile (by road) of an alternative branch.It insists more than 99.7% of the area's population will either see no change, or will remain within one mile (by road) of an alternative branch.
CLOSURE LIST Bridgend: Rhoslanog, Parc NewyddCardiff: Salisbury Rd, Cathays; Evansfield Rd, Llandaff North; Newport Rd, St Mellons; Sanquahar St and Splott Rd, Splott; Cowbridge Rd/Neville St, Canton Cynon Valley: Gadlys Rd, Aberdare; Merthyr Rd, Llwydcoed; Glancynon, Abercynon; Glyn Gwyn St, Miskin, Mountain Ash; Penderyn Comm Centre, PenderynMerthyr: Chapel St, Abercanaid; Dan-y-Twyn, Quakers Yard; Station Sq, Merthyr ValeRhymney Valley: Bristol Terr, Brithdir; Jerusalem St, RhymneyPontypridd area: Swan St, Llantrisant; Cardiff Rd, Nantgarw; Graigwen Rd, Graigwen; Hopkinstown Rd, Hopkinstown; Leyshon St, The Graig; Tynybryn Rd, Tonyrefail; Trehafod Rd, PontypriddRhondda: Ynyswen Rd, Abergorky; Commercial St, Blaenllechau; Miskin Rd, Trealaw; Court St, Blaenclydach; PO at Spar, Llewellyn St, PentreVale of Glamorgan: High St, Barry; Pill St, CoganSource: Post Office LtdCLOSURE LIST Bridgend: Rhoslanog, Parc NewyddCardiff: Salisbury Rd, Cathays; Evansfield Rd, Llandaff North; Newport Rd, St Mellons; Sanquahar St and Splott Rd, Splott; Cowbridge Rd/Neville St, Canton Cynon Valley: Gadlys Rd, Aberdare; Merthyr Rd, Llwydcoed; Glancynon, Abercynon; Glyn Gwyn St, Miskin, Mountain Ash; Penderyn Comm Centre, PenderynMerthyr: Chapel St, Abercanaid; Dan-y-Twyn, Quakers Yard; Station Sq, Merthyr ValeRhymney Valley: Bristol Terr, Brithdir; Jerusalem St, RhymneyPontypridd area: Swan St, Llantrisant; Cardiff Rd, Nantgarw; Graigwen Rd, Graigwen; Hopkinstown Rd, Hopkinstown; Leyshon St, The Graig; Tynybryn Rd, Tonyrefail; Trehafod Rd, PontypriddRhondda: Ynyswen Rd, Abergorky; Commercial St, Blaenllechau; Miskin Rd, Trealaw; Court St, Blaenclydach; PO at Spar, Llewellyn St, PentreVale of Glamorgan: High St, Barry; Pill St, CoganSource: Post Office Ltd
But Christine Chapman, Labour AM for the Cynon Valley, said a mile for elderly people, especially when uphill, was often too far.
"My concern is that first of all do they realise the geography of the area and that lots of people who use the post offices are elderly?" she said.
Jonathan Morgan, Conservative AM for South Wales Central, has met the Post Office over the proposals and was hopeful that if branches could prove they can be run as good businesses, they could stay open.Jonathan Morgan, Conservative AM for South Wales Central, has met the Post Office over the proposals and was hopeful that if branches could prove they can be run as good businesses, they could stay open.
'Reasoned argument''Reasoned argument'
"It's not a done deal. I had a private meeting with them [Post Office Ltd] and they said if I could put together a case for saving a post office they would give that consideration," he said."It's not a done deal. I had a private meeting with them [Post Office Ltd] and they said if I could put together a case for saving a post office they would give that consideration," he said.
"It is a case of use it or lose it. They [Post Office Ltd] will listen to reasoned argument. They [post offices] employ people, they provide a service but they are also a business and unless a business case can be made to keep them open then I'm afraid these post offices will close.""It is a case of use it or lose it. They [Post Office Ltd] will listen to reasoned argument. They [post offices] employ people, they provide a service but they are also a business and unless a business case can be made to keep them open then I'm afraid these post offices will close."
Plaid AM for South Wales Central Chris Franks has tabled a motion in the assembly condemning the proposed closures. Christine Chapman, Labour AM for the Cynon Valley, said a mile for elderly people, especially when uphill, was often too far.
"With Halloween fast approaching this latest batch of closures could mean a nightmare on our high streets across south Wales," he said. Plaid AM for South Wales Central Chris Franks has tabled a motion in the assembly condemning the proposed closures and the party has a campaign website.
"It is the poorest in our society that will suffer."
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mike German AM has set up an online petition on his website.Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mike German AM has set up an online petition on his website.
He said: "This really is the death knell for a comprehensive, local post office network" Meanwhile, it has emerged that three Cardiff post offices earmarked for closure have received assembly government funding totalling nearly £150,000.
Details of the closure plan emerged last Friday but the Post Office has now officially confirmed the list. But ministers say they will recover money given through its post office development fund if the branches at Splott Road, Sanquahar Street and St Mellons are closed.
It said it was seeking views on the proposed closures and the accessibility of alternative branches. An assembly government spokesperson said: "We would expect Post Office Ltd to compensate the sub-postmasters concerned.
"However, it would be premature to address this issue before the consultation has concluded."
New technologyNew technology
Details of the closure plan emerged last Friday but the Post Office has now officially confirmed the list.
Steve Geraty, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for Wales, said: "Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers.Steve Geraty, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for Wales, said: "Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers.
"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."
Plans for the rest of Wales are expected to be revealed in the coming months.Plans for the rest of Wales are expected to be revealed in the coming months.
About 2,500 post offices - a fifth of those left in the UK - are to close by 2009, the UK government confirmed in May.
Watchdog Postwatch Wales said the plans were not good news for customers but the final decisions "must be sensible and public consultation meaningful".Watchdog Postwatch Wales said the plans were not good news for customers but the final decisions "must be sensible and public consultation meaningful".
Chair Eifion Pritchard said its final view would be formed by responses from customer.Chair Eifion Pritchard said its final view would be formed by responses from customer.
"¿Postwatch Wales accepts the rationale for change. It is important that this happens in a way that minimises customer inconvenience and confusion." "Postwatch Wales accepts the rationale for change. It is important that this happens in a way that minimises customer inconvenience and confusion."
About 2,500 post offices - a fifth of those left in the UK - are to close by 2009, the UK government confirmed in May.
The then Trade Secretary Alistair Darling said there were four million fewer customers using post offices every week in the UK than two years ago and they were losing £4m a week.The then Trade Secretary Alistair Darling said there were four million fewer customers using post offices every week in the UK than two years ago and they were losing £4m a week.
People who wish to respond are asked to email consultation@postoffice.co.uk by 10 DecemberPeople who wish to respond are asked to email consultation@postoffice.co.uk by 10 December