A NEW people-friendly Post Office has opened in Baildon months ahead of schedule and to the delight of residents.

The modern facility inside Martin's (McColl's) newsagents on Northgate is a much-welcomed replacement for the little Post Office in Westgate, which shut suddenly last November, leaving residents without town centre postal services at Christmas.

Ward Councillor Val Townend campaigned for swift action and the new office with easy access and a disabled ramp has opened two months ahead of of time.

"I'm just delighted that the Post Office and McColls have carried out the work so speedily and it's up and operational.

"A lot of people, particularly elderly residents, have really struggled as the nearest alternative was at Station Road, which is a very steep walk down and up the hill," said Cllr Townend (Cons, Baildon).

Simon Drinkwater, the Post Office's Regional Network Manager said: "We received a number of comments from customers during the local public consultation period.

"It’s clear that the Post Office plays an important part in the lives of customers, particularly to elderly and disabled customers and we want to make our services as accessible as possible."

Baildon town council chairman Councillor Joe Ashton also welcomed the arrival of the new office, which opened its doors at 1pm yesterday.

"I'm very pleased they managed to bring it forward and do it without undue delay.

"We all really value the improved service and I would guess that a lot of local businesses and home workers will appreciate it especially.

"The presence of a central post office really benefits the town.

"And I'd say you can't call yourself a model community or a self sufficient town unless you have a fully working post office in the centre.

" But that's not to detract from the value of the other two post offices we have in Baildon, which also give really good service."

Cllr Ashton said people with limited mobility or in wheelchairs would be glad of the improved access, which has a handrail and also a call button to request the use of a folding ramp which staff can place against a shallow step up to the doorway.

The branch will open longer from 5.30am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and from 5.30 am to 1pm on Sunday.

Dave Thomas, Chief Operating Officer McColl’s Retail Group, said "We are delighted to be welcoming customers to our new reopened Baildon Post Office, which will offer a wide range of Post Office services alongside our extensive retail offer."

A Post Office spokesman said: "We hope customers are pleased with the new branch and we are pleased to be restoring service to the community ahead of schedule, following the withdrawal of the previous premises for Post Office use."