Philip Dunne's 'Save our post offices' campaign


Over the past ten years 4,900 sub-post offices have been closed. The current closure round is due to cut a further 2,500 post offices nationally. The list of 28 closures proposed for Shropshire was announced by Post Office Ltd on 1st April, 12 of these are proposed to have a continuing mobile ‘outreach’ service for a few hours a week. Rural villages in the Ludlow constituency are unfortunately due to bear the brunt of these cuts, with 14 of our 47 post offices due to be axed, 7 of which will be replaced with a mobile 'outreach' service, for a few hours a week.

 

A map showing those post offices affected in the constituency can be found below.

 

I am determined to help local communities make the case to save their local post office. I hope you will join me in this campaign to preserve a vital part of the fabric of rural life.

Philip Dunne MP and Pat Williams at The Hobbins Post Office

Philip Dunne MP and Pat Williams at The Hobbins Post Office


 

What can you do?

You can:

  • Complete the online petition below, which I intend to present to the House of Commons.
  • Download the petition to encourage your neighbours to support the campaign click here
  • Return completed printed petitions forms to me at LCCA, 54 Broad Street, Ludlow SY8 1GP by 31st May 2008.
  • Write with your specific views to the formal public consultation to arrive by noon on 9th June – contact details below.

 

Philip Dunne MP visits Aston on Clun Post Office

Philip Dunne MP visits Aston on Clun Post Office


 

Consultation Process

The formal public consultation commenced on 1st April and concludes on 9th June, this includes a ‘purdah’ period from 11th April until local elections on 1st May in some parts of the country (but not in the Ludlow Constituency). During this purdah period there will be no responses to consultees.

 

There is then a formal period for Postwatch to consider any subsequent changes with the Post Office which will announce final decisions in early July.

 

If you feel strongly about saving your post office or this closure programme, please participate in the consultation and write or email to:

 

Mark Partington, Network Development Manager

 

c/o National Consultation Team
FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM

 

Email: consultation@postoffice.co.uk

 

Helpline: 08457 223344

 

You may like to point out the importance of the post office to you and your community. Arguments based on the Government's access criteria are likely to carry most weight with the Post Office.

 

Consultation Timetable

1st April 2008

Start of Public Consultation

 

9th June 2008

Close of Public Consultation

 

Early July 2008

Announcement of Decision

 

August – October

Closures implemented

 

Philip Dunne at East Hamlet Post Office in  Ludlow with post-master Mike Lynas

Philip Dunne at East Hamlet Post Office in Ludlow with post-master Mike Lynas


 

Access Criteria

The key access criteria for rural areas nationally is that 95% of the total population should be within 3 miles of the nearest branch. In addition within each postcode district 95% of the population should be within 6 miles of the nearest branch.

 

In rural areas the access criteria are deeply flawed, measuring distance as the crow flies, taking no account of conditions on the ground, such as the Shropshire Hills, or natural barriers such as rivers, railways or busy roads. Nor does access to public transport feature prominently – perhaps not surprising, since there is barely any left in rural Shropshire.

 

The Government must wake up to the fact that the real value of a post office cannot be measured simply by the profit it makes or the subsidy it requires. I shall work with all those concerned to save our post offices.


 

Philip Dunne MP and Rosemary Jordan of Knowbury post office

Philip Dunne MP and Rosemary Jordan of Knowbury post office

Knowbury post office sign with Clee Hill behind

Knowbury post office sign with Clee Hill behind


 

Closures at a Glance

Click here to download "Post Office Network Change Programme Proposal (pdf)

 


View Larger Map

 

SIGN THE PETITION:

Check this box if you would not like to receive regular updates (by letter or email) from Philip Dunne MP


 

Philip Dunne MP and Ian Tristan postmaster of Quatt post office

Philip Dunne MP and Ian Tristan postmaster of Quatt post office


 

Philip Dunne MP at the old school house where Norton post office is held

Philip Dunne MP at the old school house where Norton post office is held


 

Philip Dunne MP with John Sproson postmaster at The Stiperstones Stores

Philip Dunne MP with John Sproson postmaster at The Stiperstones Stores


 

Philip Dunne MP with Janet Peacock, postmistress at Wentnor Post Office and village shop

Philip Dunne MP with Janet Peacock, postmistress at Wentnor Post Office and village shop


 

Philip Dunne MP receives a petition from Cllr Phil Morgan and Wendy Lauder postmistress of Worthen Post Office and Stores

Philip Dunne MP receives a petition from Cllr Phil Morgan and Wendy Lauder postmistress of Worthen Post Office and Stores


 

 Philip Dunne MP receives petitions from Neil Biggs, postmaster of Marton Village Stores

Philip Dunne MP receives petitions from Neil Biggs, postmaster of Marton Village Stores


 

Lydbury Village Stores Chairman Mike Shoesmith presents petitions to Philip Dunne MP

Lydbury Village Stores Chairman Mike Shoesmith presents petitions to Philip Dunne MP


 

Philip Dunne MP outside All Stretton post office

Philip Dunne MP outside All Stretton post office


 

Philip Dunne MP with Mike Lewis of Aston Munslow Post Office

Philip Dunne MP with Mike Lewis of Aston Munslow Post Office



Public Meetings

9th May 2008

11.00am
St Peter’s Hall, Henley Road, Ludlow
(Post Offices affected: East Hamlet, Ludlow; Knowbury)

 

1.00pm
Craven Arms Community Centre
(Post Offices affected: All Stretton, Aston-on-Clun, Aston Munslow)

 

3.00pm
Lydbury North Village Hall
(Post Offices affected: Lydbury North, Wentnor)


Public Meeting at Lydbury North

 

4.30pm
Worthen Village Hall
(Post Offices affected: Marton, Snailbeach, Worthen)


Gwilym Butler, Philip Dunne MP, Phil Morgan and Mark Partington of Post Office Ltd at Worthen Post Office

 

7.00pm
Worfield Recreation Rooms, Worfield
(Post Offices affected: Hilton, The Hobbins, Norton, Quatt)

From the archive...

9 July 2008 : Parliamentary Question

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Post Offices: Closures

Philip Dunne asks for details of the number of post offices closed in each parliamentary constituency each year since 1997. | more

1 July 2008 : News Release

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Dunne comments on Post Office Closures

Philip Dunne comments on news that all 14 post offices in the Ludlow constituency that were threatened with closure are to close. | more

17 June 2008 : Speech

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Post Office Closures (Shropshire)

Philip Dunne leads a Parliamentary debate calling on the Government to listen to the considerable local opposition and stop the proposed closure of rural post offices. | more

12 June 2008 : News Release

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Dunne secures debate in Parliament on post office closures in Shropshire

After presenting petitions protesting about post office closures in the Ludlow constituency to Parliament last Monday, Philip Dunne has secured a debate in the House of Commons next Tuesday 17th June. | more

10 June 2008 : News Release

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Post Office Petitions presented to Parliament

Philip Dunne MP last night presented petitions to Parliament protesting at the planned closure of 14 post offices in the Ludlow Constituency. | more

20 May 2008 : News Release

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New threat to remaining Post Offices in Shropshire

Loss of Post Office Card Account threatens more post office closures. | more

30 April 2008 : News Release

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Public meetings on Post Office closures

Local residents have been encouraged today to attend a public meeting next week to discuss local post office closures in the Bridgnorth area. | more

29 April 2008 : News Release

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Lydbury North to fight Post Office closure

Some 40 local residents attended a public meeting in Lydbury North village hall last week, joined by MP Philip Dunne with local councillors Nigel Hartin, Jackie Williams and Georgie Ellis. | more

21 April 2008 : Article in Shropshire Star

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Use local shops or lose them

The current consultation on post office closures in Shropshire is highlighting the risk posed to our remaining village shops. | more

9 April 2008 : News Release

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MP to chair public meetings over Post Office Closures

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne today released details of public meetings in areas where post office closures are planned on Friday 9th May. | more

4 April 2008 : News Release

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Dunne launches post office campaign in South Shropshire and Bridgnorth

Philip Dunne MP today stepped up his campaigning efforts to save post offices across South Shropshire and Bridgnorth districts. | more

1 April 2008 : News Release

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Post Office closures body blow to local communities

Philip Dunne comments on today's disclosure by Post Office Ltd that the brunt of the Government's plans to close post offices in Shropshire will fall on rural communities in the Ludlow constituency. | more

1 April 2008 : BBC News

Plans for 50 post offices to shut

Click here to read article on external website

24 March 2008 : Article in Shropshire Star

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Government post office cull hits Shropshire

We learn the identity of which post offices in Shropshire the Government wants to shut on 1st April. But this is no April's Fool list. | more

19 March 2008 : Parliamentary Debate

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Post Office Closures

Philip Dunne highlights his concerns that the closure of post offices threatens access to financial services for rural communities. | more

17 March 2008 : Article

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Budget hits country dwellers hardest

Not content with threatening closure of rural hospitals, schools, post offices and police stations, the Government seems determined to add new burdens to country dwellers. | more

11 January 2008 : News Release

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Post office review of Shropshire to start Monday

Philip Dunne has written to all sub-postmasters in the Ludlow Constituency informing them of the timetable to which Post Office Limited is conducting its review of which post offices to close. | more

15 November 2007 : Speech

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Financial Inclusion

Speaking in a debate on Financial Inclusion, Philip Dunne emphasised the vital importance of the Post Office network in providing access to financial services. | more

10 September 2007 : Photo

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Philip meets Janet Bradbury of Clun Post Office

Philip meets Janet Bradbury of Clun Post Office when taking his mobile surgery around the constituency in early September | more

12 August 2007 : News Release

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Philip Dunne takes over as Secretary of All Party Post Offices Group.

Philip Dunne and Owen Paterson, MP for North Shropshire, met at Maesbury Post Office on Friday 10th August, where Owen Paterson officially handed over to Philip as Secretary of the All Party Post Offices Group. | more