POST Office Ltd has been strongly urged by Waverley Council to reconsider the proposals to close Tilford Post Office and Farnham's Station Hill Post Office. The consultation over the closures closed on Monday and in its formal response, the council claims the objective of obtaining a viable and sustainable post office network will be enhanced by retaining the two offices. "Waverley believes that further closures (in addition to those already experienced in recent years) will have a detrimental effect both on your objectives as a business and the local communities," warns David Munro, the portfolio holder responsible, in the letter. "The provision and maintenance of local facilities such as Post Offices, are key elements in the sustainability and cohesion of local neighbourhoods and communities. The proposed closures will adversely affect the quality of local community life." Mr Munro's letter goes on to point out: "Now would be a particularly unfortunate time to consider closing Tilford Post Office, as planning permission has just been granted for an enhanced shop and post office to ensure the community run shop can be more viable in the long term." Mr Munro explains that there is significant potential to reinvigorate the services as part of the new retail facility - especially as Tilford had suffered a reduction in service in order for the sub- postmaster to support the part-time post office operation at Churt. The village shop is one of a few community owned and run shops in Surrey, underlining the commitment of the community to its retention. The suggested alternatives are not viable on foot, with unlit, unpaved roads, and there is no bus service to the suggested alternatives, making access both expensive and difficult for those without cars, Mr Munro points out, adding the role that the post office plays in servicing the Ahmadiyya muslim community. Turning to the Station Hill post office, Mr Munro lays emphasis on the high proportion of elderly residents in the area and the number of post offices already closed, including Ridgway, Burnt Hill and Boundstone. He says insufficient account appears to have been taken of the difficulties crossing of the A31 at Hickleys Corner to access the town centre post office. And he points out that this anyway has long queues, which are not ideal for older or more vulnerable people.
