Residents rally round to save Post Office

Published on 25th October 2007 in News

Residents of Goole are coming together to oppose plans to close a much-used public service, the town's MP announced last week.

Ian Cawsey showed off an impressive number of responses from members of the public - all opposing plans to see Westfield Avenue Post Office shut down - when he visited the post office last Friday.

Eight East Riding post offices are listed for closure under national proposals to cut the network, and a six-week long public consultation is already under way.

Mr Cawsey said: "We have had a good response from members of the public, but we still need more."

The Government has already undertaken a 12-week consultation, before reaching a decision to reduce the UK-wide network of Post Office branches by up to 2,500, whilst continuing to provide funding to support a more sustainable network in the future.

Colin Harrand, postmaster at Westfield Avenue Post Office, added: "A lot of people have not realised the knock-on effect that the closure of this post office would have.

"It would have a detrimental effect on the other shops in the Westfield Avenue area because people would not be able to pick up their money from the post office before visiting the other shops. There would also be the loss of the 24-hour ATM, which is very, very popular."

The consultation will be open until November 12. Anybody who wishes to send in their comments can do so in writing to Ian Cawsey at The Courtyard, Boothferry Road, Goole, DN14 6AE, or e-mailed to cawseyi@parliament.uk. Alternatively, comments can be left online at www.iancawsey.co.uk.

Comments must be received by November 12. If anybody would like advice on how to object, they can contact Keith Moore on 07737586949, or view a model letter, either at Westfield Avenue Post Office or at the Goole Times offices.