WITH the six-week consultation period concluding on Monday, public bodies and the local authority have thrown their weight behind the campaign to preserve local post offices. Both the Countryside Alliance and the Petersfield branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) are urging locals to have their say, while the six local branches earmarked for closure are set to be offered financial assistance by East Hampshire District Council (EHDC). Labelling the proposals as "a disgrace", EHDC will discuss proposals to establish a £70,000 support programme to protect the region's endangered post offices on Wednesday (November 28). Ken Moon, lead councillor for economic development, is a fierce opponent of plans and firmly on the warpath in the fight to save branches from the axe. He told the Herald: "We believe the Post Office's proposals are a disgrace, and we would like to give practical help to those village stores and post offices that are under threat," he remarked. As well as losing a vital community service, the council believe that post office closures will particularly harm older people and people with disabilities. And many rural businesses will also suffer, EHDC claim, with the village shops that provide postal services under jeopardy. Mr Moon addeed: "Village post offices within local shops provide a valuable service to their communities and to other local businesses. "We want to give them every possible support to enable them to survive, if the Post Office's appalling plan goes ahead. "Our initial support package will include free business advice and a grant of up to £10,000 each to help them through this difficult period. "We believe this practical help is a first for local government, and it is just a start. "We will also be meeting with the local post office managers and their parish councils to discuss the longer-term future and see how we can work together to save our stores." Those threatened with withdrawing postal services include Durford Road in Petersfield, Upper Wield and Passfield, and East Meon, East Tisted and Froxfield, in which the postal services may be replaced by an outreach service. Meanwhile, both the Countryside Alliance and the Petersfield branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) are urging opponents to make their voices heard. The defiant message emanating from the Countryside Alliance is: "It's not over yet – fight for your branch," and the CAB has offered assistance to those who wish to have their say. Amanda Whiteland-Smith, deputy manager of Petersfield CAB said: "We would urge anyone who has views on the projected closure of post offices at East Meon, West Meon, Tistead, Froxfield and Durford Road, Petersfield to get in touch with us as soon as possible and help make sure their voices are heard. "Post offices represent a vital public service for many of our local residents. "We have heard clients complaining about the closures, but we are concerned that these complaints will not reach the public consultation. "We are eager to work with individuals to draft letters and help them have a voice," she added. While the CAB acknowledges that it is unlikely that campaigning will save all the post offices earmarked for closure – especially as branches serving the villages have been offered outreach alternative – they are particularly interested in canvassing opinions about Durford Road. Ms Whiteland-Smith said: "As well as being an important hub for the local community, it is some distance from the nearest alternative in the centre of town and closure would mean that disabled people and groups without access to transport face a long walk across some potentially hazardous roads. "It is also likely that the inadequate provision of counter staff at Petersfield post office will leave customers enduring even greater congestion than they currently experience. The address for Petersfield CAB is: 18 Heath Road, Petersfield, GU31 4DZ. They can be contacted by telephone on 01730 264887. In a similar tack, the Countryside Alliance is prompting both local and high-level campaigns, requesting responses to be sent to both Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the mational consultation team. Countryside Alliance southern regional director Sara Rutherford spoke of a determination to preserve the status quo. She said: "This is sad news and will come as a shock to all those sub-post masters on the list, but the fight certainly doesn't end here." "We all feel that the Government has missed the point on post offices. "Financial viability cannot be the only concern when considering whether to continue subsidising the Post Office network. "Post offices are the social heart of many communities, and without them many thousands of people, including many elderly and disabled, would be increasingly isolated. "Following the removal of many key services, we are urging the Government to recognise the huge social benefit that post offices provide. "The Government must look at the bigger picture before deciding the fate of many of our local communities – people all over Britain are sending Government the clear message: we love our post offices, we love our countryside." Correspondence should be addressed to: Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, London and to the National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp required). Opponents can also email their thoughts to [email protected]">[email protected], or telephone 08457 223344 to make their views known.
