Anger as hit-list of post offices unveiled

2:34am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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Eleven post offices across Bradford are now earmarked for closure under plans unveiled yesterday.

The hit-list is part of plans to slim down the network by 2,500 branches across the country in an attempt to stem weekly losses of £4 million.

And in addition to the 11 in Bradford, a further 52 closures are proposed across West Yorkshire. A six-week consultation will now get under way.

The Post Office claims that under the proposals, 99.8 per cent of the area's population will either see no change, or will remain within one mile of an alternative branch.

It has said the consultation is not designed to provide a forum for debate on whether branches should close, but is about ensuring that it has the best available knowledge to allow it to make the most informed decisions about which should close.

Post Office Ltd's Network Development Manager for the North East, Adrian Wales said decisions to close branches were difficult and customer concerns were understood.

He added: "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 Government. Rural parts of West Yorkshire - where 25 per cent of the population live - would be served by a total of 73 branches.

"Urban areas would be served by 209 post offices, including 81 branches which will specifically serve communities defined as deprived.

"We believe these proposals offer the best prospect for a sustainable way forward for post office services in this area, bearing in mind the minimum access criteria and the other factors we have to take into account."

The Telegraph & Argus exclusively revealed last month which branches were facing the axe - though a rethink has been made to keep some open.

Last night Judith Donovan, chairman of Postwatch Northern England, said while it understood the need for closures, the public consultation must be "meaningful".

She added: "Local information will be vital so that changes in the post office network take proper account of the particular needs and circumstances of communities. We therefore hope both households and businesses can provide feedback on proposals affecting their area."

Bradford Council leader Kris Hopkins said: "This is an absolute disgrace. We are losing key services which are used by some of the most vulnerable people in the community who rely on it.

"The consultation process will go ahead but the deal has already been done."

Eight of the 13 post offices originally selected by Royal Mail for possible closure have avoided the axe in an official list of possible closures released yesterday.

• The five post offices on the list which was obtained by the Telegraph & Argus in April which do face the axe after a consultation period, which lasts until June 23, are: St Paul's Road, Shipley; Pearson Lane, Chellow Dene; Duckworth Lane, Girlington; Lumb Lane, Manningham; Woodhall Avenue, Thornbury.

• The eight from that original group which will remain open are Esholt; Hall Lane, Wakefield Road; City Road, Manningham; off Mannville Terrace, University; Leeds Road, Barkerend; Legrams Lane, Lidget Green; Beckside Road, Lidget Green; 33 Keighley Road, Crossflatts.

• A further 17 post offices in the Bradford area have now also been earmarked for closure. They are: Thornton Road, Leaventhorpe (already temporarily closed); Jackroyd Lane, Mirfield; The Knowle (already temporarily closed), Mirfield; Leeds Road, Heckmondwike; Halifax Road, Brighouse; Wakefield Road, Halifax; Valley Road, Pudsey; Station Road, Horsforth; House Road, Shelf; Weston Lane, Otley; Kirk Lane, Yeadon; Leeds Road, Bradford; Harrogate Road, Undercliffe; Southview Road, East Bierley; Lowood Lane, Birstall; Bolton Road, Ashbourne Estate; High Street, Wibsey; City Road, Bradford.