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.
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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.
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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
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1st April 2008 |
Start of Public Consultation |
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9th June 2008 |
Close of Public Consultation |
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Early July 2008 |
Announcement of Decision |
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August – October |
Closures implemented |
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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.
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Philip Dunne MP and Rosemary Jordan of Knowbury post office |
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Knowbury post office sign with Clee Hill behind |
Closures at a Glance
Click here to download "Post Office Network Change Programme Proposal (pdf)
SIGN THE PETITION:
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Philip Dunne MP and Ian Tristan postmaster of Quatt post office |
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Philip Dunne MP at the old school house where Norton post office is held |
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Philip Dunne MP with John Sproson postmaster at The Stiperstones Stores |
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Philip Dunne MP with Janet Peacock, postmistress at Wentnor Post Office and village shop |
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Philip Dunne MP receives a petition from Cllr Phil Morgan and Wendy Lauder postmistress of Worthen Post Office and Stores |
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Philip Dunne MP receives petitions from Neil Biggs, postmaster of Marton Village Stores |
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Lydbury Village Stores Chairman Mike Shoesmith presents petitions to Philip Dunne MP |
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Philip Dunne MP outside All Stretton post office |
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Philip Dunne MP with Mike Lewis of Aston Munslow Post Office |
