AFTER months of uncertainty, John Wood and his wife, Susan, sub-postmasters of Passfield post office, received the devastating news that they are on the list of 2,500 proposed permanent branch closures. The closures are part of the area plan for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, as initiated by the Government in December 2006. In proposing that this branch should close Post Office Ltd has taken into account that customers would be able to access post office services from nearby branches in Liphook, Lindford and Bordon, as well as Headley Down and Pinewood Village. They state that the Liphook branch is located two miles away with a regular bus service available between the two branches from a bus stop 10 yards away. They also mention that parking facilities are available directly outside the Liphook branch. However, for the Lindford branch, which is located 1.9 miles away from Passfield along level terrain, there is no direct bus service available, but parking facilities exist nearby. Mr Wood was shocked by the announcement. "When we took over the lease last November, we were promised by the Post Office that we would remain open, as they would not allow us to sign the lease otherwise. "Now we are facing a very uncertain future. Without the post office facility the whole shop is under threat, as we would not be able to keep it open for our customers just selling groceries." He believed that they had met all three criterias required to keep the post office open, which are profitability, enough footfall and 95 per cent of customers living within three miles of the branch. However, the arbitrary three-mile distance from customers does not take into consideration the demographics in the community. Closure will increase the carbon footprint of both residents and businesses who make daily use of the post office. A petition was started last June by residents of Conford, Passfield and Liphook, to save the village post office. It was also given priority support by James Arbuthnot, MP for North East Hampshire who came to visit John and Susan Wood last August (as reported by The Herald). Bramshott and Liphook parish councillors have put their weight behind the petition and East Hampshire district councillor and deputy leader Sam James has lent his support. He issued a statement this week: "I am appalled that Post Office Ltd has announced that the Passfield Post Office is on their list for permanent closure subject to a consultation period which ends on November 26. This is a vital facility for immediate and neighbouring residents and businesses and its closure would cause immense damage and hardship. "Post Office Ltd's notice of 'proposed branch closure' states that 'there is a regular bus service available between the two branches'(the two branches referred to are Passfield and Headley Rd, Liphook). This is of course utter piffle. There is the Rail Link bus but this is not a regular bus service as is normally understood and it does not go directly from Passfield to Liphook. You might have thought that Post Office Ltd might have done its research properly before threatening closure on distinctly wobbly transport data. "Please relay your concerns, if you have them, to Post Office Ltd, C/O National Consultation Team, Freepost consultation team; or e-mail to [email protected]">[email protected]. "I have no idea whether we have any chance of reversing this closure proposal, but let's give it everything we've got. If anyone knows a senior executive in Post Office Ltd please bombard them also with the need to Keep Passfield Post Office Open (KPPO). I have already asked the Post Office what bus they are referring to in their documentation but just got an automated response." James Arbuthnot has said that the Government's plans to close 52 post offices across Hampshire will be a massive hammer blow to community life. Mr Arbuthnot was speaking after being notified which post offices in Hampshire have been identified for closure. Those in North East Hampshire earmarked to be shut down are the branches at Passfield Common and Pondtail, on Kings Road, Fleet. Mr Arbuthnot said: "This is very disappointing news indeed. I'm at a loss to explain why a profitable post office, like the one in Passfield, should be singled out for closure. It makes no sense at all." "Perhaps, the Government thinks that by closing the branch at Passfield, and not even offering to replace it with an outreach service, then its customers will happily travel to Liphook thereby making that branch more profitable. But what about the inconvenience and damage to the environment from a four-mile round trip just to post a parcel? "Post offices make an enormous contribution to local communities by helping to sustain village shops, supporting vulnerable people and acting as a focal point for the local area. "They should be supported and developed, not closed down to help balance the Government's books. We've been campaigning against these closures since the Government first stated their intention and our fight will go on." The Passfield Post Office on the Headley Road with its grocery shop is the hub of village community and residents say that they are devastated at the prospect of losing the last remaining shop in the village. John and Susan Wood know that their fate is now in the hands of the community. "It is now or never for our supporters to make themselves heard, as the outcome of the public consultation is crucial and the decision made will be final and irreversible." If the decision is taken to permanently close Passfield Post Office, after the end of the local public consultation period, Mr Wood will be notified before the end of the year and closure it is expected to take place in January 2008. A formal period of local public consultation began on October 16 and will end on November 26. Comments by residents and supporters must be received by that date if they are to be considered and should be sent to Tim Nickolls, Network Development Manager, Post Office Ltd, c/o National Consultation Team, Freepost Consultation Team or can be emailed to [email protected]">[email protected]. Their customer help line is 08457 223344, their website http://www.postoffice.co.uk">www.postoffice.co.uk.