news story

16th March 2008

Big Public Response to Post Office Meetings

Support the campaign to Save Our Local Post Offices

Two public meetings held to highlight the threat to post offices in Tytherington and in Yate have drawn a big public response. The meetings were jointly organised by Northavon MP Steve Webb and the local parish and town councils and took place on Friday evening (14th March).

At 5pm local residents gathered at Yate parish hall to hear post office representatives explain the background to the closure plans. The meeting was well attended by town councillors and by many older local residents from the Cranleigh Court area concerned about the threat to their local post office.

Particular concern was expressed about the ability of older residents to stand in the long queues that often build up at Yate crown office. Concern was also expressed over the role of Tesco, in whose store the post office is located.

Later that evening at 7pm a similar meeting took place in Tytherington parish hall, chaired by Jeremy Evans, chair of the village shop committee. The village hall was full to overflowing, with standing room only.

Residents expressed their anger at the threat to the community shop if the post office were to close. Discussion focused on the problems of parking in Thornbury anywhere near the post office.

Residents pointed out that bus services to Thornbury from Tytherington are infrequent and that the bus stop for the return service from Thornbury is some distance from the post office. It was also pointed out that the bus service does not guarantee disabled access and is unsuitable for families with prams or buggies.

Speaking after the two meetings, Steve Webb said:

"The number of people attending these meetings and the comments that were made show the strength of feeling about the threat to local post offices.

"There are real practical problems for local people - especially those who are elderly or disabled - if they are forced to use more distant post offices which can sometimes have very long queues.

"I hope that the post office representatives will have got a very clear message from these meetings. As well as encouraging residents to feed in to the public consultation I will also be having talks with the post office about the finances of each threatened branch to see if a rescue package involving the local council might be an option."