AXE LIKELY TO FALL ON LOCAL POST OFFICES
ARBROATH could be stripped of another post office and the rural area could lose a further two if proposals in the Post Office Area Plan for North East Scotland are carried through.
Angus MP Mike Weir has already expressed grave concern over reduction of services, particularly in the rural areas.
Post Office Ltd plan to close the Cairnie Street post office and the country offices at Carmyllie and Inverkeilor, with the rural post offices being replaced by Outreach services.
Mr Weir commented: "The impact on the town is not as bad as had been feared and I am particularly pleased that the Post Office have accepted the arguments for the need to retain the Timmergreens Post Office, which was only saved from the last round of cuts by a concerted campaign, and Cliffburn."
"The proposed closure of Cairnie Street will, however, put further pressure on the main Post Office at the Abbeygate. There are already frequent complaints that there can be long queues at this office and if business transfers there from Cairnie Street then it is likely to make matters worse, especially at busy times of the day."
"I will be closely examining the case put forward by Post Office Ltd for the closure "
He continued: "The closure of Carmyllie and its replacement by a two-hour Outreach session at the Milton Haugh Farm Shop is a considerable reduction in services to the area. The Post Office argue it reflects the low use of the current office. I am urgently seeking views from local people on this proposal, both as to the closure and, alternatively, whether the hours proposed are sufficient.
"The proposed closure of Inverkeilor is of huge concern, not only since the Post Office is the only shop left in the village but also because it will leave a huge gap in the network provision with nothing between Arbroath and Montrose. Again I am urgently seeking views both on the proposed closure and whether the proposed two sessions at the Church Hall offer an adequate alternative."
Mr Weir has already written to villagers in Inverkeilor and residents of the Carmyllie area but anyone who wishes to make representations can contact him at his office at 16 Brothock Bridge, Arbroath, by telephone on 01241 874522 or by e-mail at weirm@parliament.uk
Mr Weir concluded: "I have all along opposed the whole Post Office closure programme as I believe it is wrongheaded and unfair. It is, however, being implemented by the UK government and the Post Office and in this process we have to try and retain as many Post Offices as possible.
"In order to challenge proposals we must show that the Post Office got something wrong, or failed to take into account material facts. A mere petition opposing closure will have very little impact.
"Although the overall impact on Arbroath is less than I feared, there are still problems affecting the whole sub post office network, not least the fact that the UK government have failed to say whether the Post Office Card Account contract will definitely be awarded to the Post Office.
"If it is not then the National Federation of Sub Post Masters have indicated another round of closures is inevitable."
Read more in this week's Arbroath Herald.
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Weather for Arbroath
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
