Residents 'let down' by post office closures

Published on 30th November 2006 in News

The closure of Airmyn Post Office has come under criticism from two local Liberal Democrat campaigners, who claim the government is not doing enough to protect a vital part of the community.

Former Howden resident and Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, Jo Swinson, joined campaigner Ingrid Ridley to see how Airmyn has been affected by the loss of its shop and post office, which closed in July.

Ms Swinson, MP, said: "Clearly the people of Airmyn, particularly the village's elderly population, have lost a vital part of their community with the closure of the village post office.

"They now face a four-mile round trip to reach the nearest post office in Goole."

Ingrid Ridley added: "The Government must do more to support local post offices. These are more than businesses - they are a vital part of the community in villages such as Airmyn.

"I feel so upset for the local people who have lost this facility, especially the old of the village who were able to cope in their homes with somewhere to walk to for their provisions and pension and someone to talk to.

"Now it will be a good deal harder for them."

Standing outside the former post office, Ms Ridley said: "I do not blame at all the wonderful couple who ran this post office for so many years and for incredibly long hours. I blame the political neglect that has let them and the village down.

"The government must do more to support local post offices."

Although a sub-post office has been set up in the village hall and opens on Tuesdays and Fridays, between 10am and 1pm, Ms Ridley feels it is too far for some people to walk.

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council has recently sent out questionnaires to post offices and villages shops, and all those who return it will be invited to a free advice session, the nearest of which will be at The Courtyard, Goole on Monday, December 11.