Battle to save local post offices

Nov 1 2007 by Samantha Mendez, Merthyr Express

HUNDREDS of people in our communities could be cut off following plans to close three post offices in the Merthyr Tydfil borough.

The closures are part of Post Office plans to shut 31 offices across South Wales.

On Tuesday, October 30, the Post Office released a consultation paper listing all the post offices facing the axe, and Quaker’s Yard, Merthyr Vale and Abercanaid are all on the list.

Disgusted residents who use the post offices on a daily basis have sprung into action, and with the backing of local councillors, and Merthyr and Rhymney Valley MP Dai Havard and Huw Lewis AM - they plan to fight the closures all the way.

The consultation period for the Cardiff and Glamorgan Valleys plan will last for six weeks, and the paper claims that the closures are due to cost-cutting necessities.

Under the proposals, more than 99.7 per cent of the area’s population will either see no change, or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch, but angry customers say this simply isn’t good enough.

Carol House, of Bryngerwyn Avenue, Quaker’s Yard, thinks the closure of their post office will take money out of the village.

“I think it’s disgusting, it will stop community life and will affect all the shopkeepers around here,” said the 64-year-old.

“People come to the post office to collect their money and then they spend it in the surrounding shops - all that will stop if we have to go elsewhere to get out money.”

Diane James works in Quaker’s Yard Post Office and said it’s really going to affect the people who use it.

“I had a customer in this morning who is partially blind and she was devastated when she heard this one may be closing,” she said.

“She said there’s no way she would be able to get up to Treharris which is the next nearest one for us, so where will she get her money now?”

Vivienne McCole, of Zoar Terrace, said that the post office is a life-saver, and now it may be closing, the recent adverts on television were a complete waste of money.

In Abercanaid, Pauline Gray, of Anthony Grove who regularly uses the post office, said she is very unhappy about the plans.

“I’m not pleased that this one could be closing, what are all the old people around here going to do?” she said.

“The queues in Merthyr Post Office are disgusting and people are expected to go there.”

Mail chief Tony Jones made an apology to all the pensioners losing their local post office, and said they are simply following Government orders.

“We are extremely sorry but there’s nothing we can do - 31 post offices must close.”

Want to have your say on the post office closures? Email your thoughts to reporter Samantha Mendez or use the comment box below to post a message on our forums.

Page 2 - ‘It’s like holding a gun to our heads’