Thirty one branches face axe

Nov 1 2007 by Staff Reporter, Cynon Valley Leader

THE Post Office plans to close 31 of the sub post offices currently serving Cardiff and the Glamorgan Valleys.

The Post Office said: “Under the proposals, more than 99.7per cent of the area’s population will either see no change or will remain within one mile – by road distance – of an alternative branch.”

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 it will cause concerns 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.

“Post Office Ltd’s aim is to continue to provide essential services and support retail businesses and the local economy in as many communities as possible, subject to the minimum access set by the UK Government.

“Rural parts of the Cardiff and Glamorgan Valleys area – where 36 per cent of the population live – would be served by a total of 64 branches.

“Urban areas would be served by 89 post offices. A total of 37 branches will specifically serve communities defined as deprived, supporting the Government’s focus on the provision of services in these locations.

“We believe these proposals offer the best prospect for a sustainable way forward for Post Office services in Cardiff and the Glamorgan Valleys, bearing in mind the minimum access criteria and the other factors to which we have to have regard.”

The Post Office says that under its proposals, 91 per cent of the area’s population will retain their existing post offices.

The consultation period ends on December 10.