Post office closures ‘savage’

Nov 1 2007 by Staff Reporter, Cynon Valley Leader

FIVE Cynon Valley sub post offices are threatened with closure.

The Government intends to close thousands of post offices across the country, and branches at Abercynon, Miskin, Gadlys, Penderyn and Llwydcoed are among those in the firing line.

The plans, expected to run into severe local opposition, have gone out to public consultation this week.

Leanne Wood, AM for South Wales Central, said: “This is a shocking plan. Plaid will be vociferously opposing this savage post office closure programme by Labour in London.

“Some 3,500 post offices closed under the last Tory Government, and more than 4,000 have closed under New Labour.

“The Government’s announcement to slash the post office network by a fifth marks the latest stage of this onslaught. This is not what the public want.”

The Cynon Valley post offices earmarked for closure are at Glancynon Terrace, Abercynon; Glyngwyn Street, Miskin; Gadlys Road, Gadlys; Penderyn Community Centre, Penderyn; and Merthyr Road, Llwydcoed.

Cynon Valley AM Christine Chapman said she understands the need for service sustainability but is concerned about the proposed loss of post offices which are often “the heart of the community”.

She urged people to involve themselves fully in what she says must be a “meaningful” consultation process and make their views known.

“Post offices are often a lifeline for people, especially the elderly,” she said.

“Some critical factors need to be looked at before final decisions are made.”

The consultation period ends on December 10, but Llwydcoed resident Morgan Lloyd said: “I very much fear that the consultation exercise will be nothing but a sham and that these closures will go ahead regardless of the will of the people.

“Nevertheless, I urge local residents to make their view known to see if we can stop these cuts and retain our network of sub post offices.”

Borough councillor John Daniel, whose Aberdare West ward includes Llwydcoed post office, is already helping distribute protest leaflets.

“Not everyone has a bank account or a car, and closing post offices will cause hardship,” he said.

“Having to travel to alternative post offices at Aberdare and Trecynon is not always convenient, especially for the elderly.”

Abercynon ward councillor Stuart Gregory says he is “appalled” at the proposal to close the Glancynon branch.

“This would clearly reduce the service and cause hardship and inconvenience for a lot of people,” he said.