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Dozens more post offices face axe - plus list of branches earmarked for closure



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Published Date: 20 August 2008
By Gerri Peev
Political Correspondent
A TOTAL of 26 post offices across Edinburgh, the Lothians and south of Scotland are destined for the axe in the latest round of closures.
A further 32 are due to be downgraded, following a six-week consultation.

Last night the public consultation exercise was branded futile by campaigners, who claimed the government has already decided to close the branches.

The Post Office argue
d that most people in the region would either see no change or be within a mile of a service.

The closures are part of a cost-saving exercise by the government to shut about 2,500 post offices by the end of the year. Of these, 119 have already been confirmed for Scotland, with a further 70 threatened, including the 26 announced yesterday.

Proposals for downgraded services, known as "outreach" centres, include mobile post offices, run from a van; hosted services based in shops or community centres and fixed-site services, run by a publican for example; and phone orders.

Sally Buchanan, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for Scotland, said taking decisions to close branches was "very difficult" and she acknowledged it would cause concern to many customers.

"We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on, or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes and able to give views on them."

However, the closures were criticised by politicians and campaigners.

Mark Lazarowicz, Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, is holding public meetings to highlight local community resistance to the proposals.

But opposition politicians have blamed Labour MPs in Edinburgh for voting through the programme. John Barrett, Lib Dem MP for Edinburgh West, said: "Labour in Edinburgh cannot now cry crocodile tears for the loss of post offices they voted to axe."

Mike Weir, the SNP MP and industry spokesman, called the announcement a "bitter" blow.

"Scottish Labour MPs have consistently backed the UK government's policy which has led to these closures, so it is a bit rich that they are now feigning outrage and concern," he said.

Christine Grahame, SNP MSP for South of Scotland region, urged Scottish Borders Council to seek a judicial review.

"Myself and my colleagues are determined to fight these changes that will effectively butcher postal services across the region," she said.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, SNP MSP for Lothian region, said she had already received 600 letters from Edinburgh residents.

But Lindsay Scott, of Help the Aged, said there was little point in resisting the move.

"Our experiences show that, regardless of how good an argument you put forward, the decisions have been made. You may save one post office, but another will be closed down the road.

"The whole exercise is futile and a foregone conclusion."

Professor Alan Alexander, of Postwatch Scotland, the watchdog for postal services, said it was important the public took part in the consultation: "I do regret it when people say that consultations are futile, because my evidence is that they are not."

Edinburgh, The Lothians and South of Scotland area -
Post Office branches proposed for Closure

Lincluden, Dumfries

Sheuchan Street, Stranraer

Rosetta Road, Peebles

Elphinstone, Tranent

West Barns, Dunbar

Calder Crossway, Edinburgh

Gorgie, Edinburgh

Longstone, Scotmid Co-op, Edinburgh

Shandon Place, Edinburgh

Magdalene Drive, Edinburgh

Nicolson St, Southside Pharmacy, Edinburgh

Elm Row, Edinburgh

Goldenacre, Edinburgh

Pilrig Toll, Edinburgh

Warrender Park, Edinburgh

Broomhall (Temporarily closed), Edinburgh

Cramond, Edinburgh

Dalmeny, South Queensferry

Grangepans, Bo'ness

Newton Main Street, Broxburn

Breich Rashiehill Terrace, West Calder

Polbeth, West Calder

Carrington, Gorebridge

Easthouses, Dalkeith

The Village Shop, Lasswade

Poltonhall, Bonnyrigg


Post Offices already proposed for closure:

Mount Street, Aberdeen

Mannofield, Aberdeen

Dundee Road, Forfar

Kilry, Kirriemuir

Southmuir, Kirriemuir

Blacklaw, Aberchirder

Broadsea, High Street, Fraserburgh

Longhaven, Peterhead

Ferry Road, Dundee

Monikie, Broughty Ferry

Lochee Road, Dundee

Nethergate, Dundee

Fairmuir, Dundee

Main Street, Halbeath

Dalbeath Crescent, Cowdenbeath

Main Street, Torryburn

Transy, Dunfermline

Denbeath, Leven

Dundonald Park, Cardenden

Kingdom Centre, Glenrothes

Montgarrie, Alford

Glencraig, Crosshill

Hillend, Dunfermline

Blackhall Sq, Kelty

Commercial Street, Kirkcaldy

St Andrews Square, Buckpool

Regent Street, Keith

East End, Forres

Pansport Road, Elgin

Main Street, Lower Largo

Newton of Falkland, Cupar

Scoonie Road, Leven

Westport, Cupar

Fairyburn, Alloa

Bridgend, Perth

Cherrybank, Perth

Garth Avenue, Perth

Mercat Green, Kinrossie, Perth

Glassel, Banchory

Saltburn, Invergordon

Barrock, Thurso

Spittal Post Office, Wick

Harbour Street, Nairn

Kingsmills Road , Inverness

Abriachan, Inverness

High Street, Rosemarkie

Breakish, Isle Of Skye

Contin, Strathpeffer

Earlish, Portree

Mill Street, Dingwall

Maryburgh, Dingwall

Duncanstown, Dingwall

Onich (Temporarily closed), Fort William

Treslaig (Temporarily closed) Fort William

Waternish, Isle Of Skye

Redcastle Station, By Muir of Ord

East Princes Street, Helensburgh

High Street, Campbeltown

Hillfoot Street, Dunoon

Kirn, Dunoon

Combie Street, Oban

Ralston Road, Campbeltown

Eaglesham Road, Clarkston, Glasgow

Skinflats, Falkirk

Brightons, Falkirk

Church Street, Stenhousemuir

Lea Park Drive, Bonnybridge

Wheatlands Avenue, Bonnybridge

Nethermains, Denny

Thornhill Road, Falkirk

St. Vincent Terrace, Glasgow

Allison St, Govanhill, Glasgow

High Street, Glasgow

Springfield Road, Glasgow

Grantlea Terrace, Glasgow

Glenavon Road, Glasgow

Dumbarton Road, Glasgow

Balornock, Glasgow

Forge Street, Glasgow

Red Road, Glasgow

Crow Road, Glasgow

Drumchapel, Glasgow

Inchfad Drive, Drumchapel, Glasgow

Temple, Glasgow

Busby Road, Carmunnock, Glasgow

Castlemilk Road, Glasgow

Clarkston Road, Muirend, Glasgow

Nithsdale Road, Glasgow

Main Street, Callander

Riverside, Stirling

Bowling, Glasgow

Brucehill, Dumbarton

Levenvale Co- Op Store, Alexandria

Glasgow Road, Dumbarton

Radnor Park, Clydebank




The full article contains 885 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 20 August 2008 12:48 AM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Statsman,

Edinburgh 20/08/2008 01:49:18
Typical. The former Labour Council foists an ultra high density development on Cramond... then the Labour Westminster government decides to close the only local shop on completion.
2

Boy Wonder,

20/08/2008 07:18:31
#2. Even more important, bto ... where are their "services" going to be place once they've closed their offices down?

Royal Mail certainly do NOT have the public's interest at heart with this ill-considered stunt!
3

Rulesbutnotrulers,

Federation, not separation 20/08/2008 08:18:42
Phew! Narrow escape for us. But what about any next round of closures?

As I understand it the Coop pays its own staff to run POs on its premisses, so why not expand this model?
4

brownlie,

20/08/2008 08:54:25
Oh dear, around twenty post offices closing in the Fife area. That will go down well if ever there is a bye-election in that area.
5

Alberto.,

20/08/2008 08:56:39
It is difficult to comprehend why 'allegedly' such a failing business, is advertising their 'Peoples Post Office' to attraact business (why else to advertise?)and why the 'chappie' again 'allegedly' running the business is paid such a fantastic salary for obviuos failure - must be a 'British thing!

Or, is he perhaps being paid so highly as 'Hush Money?'
6

donald,

glasgow 20/08/2008 09:03:22
Will we see Labour MPS again, who voted for closures, trying to infer it was all the fault f the Scottish Government?
7

gus1940,

Edinburgh 20/08/2008 09:06:51
If the viability of a PO depends on profitability why not apply the same principle to other government and quasi-government departments/organisations e.g.

Health Service
M.O.D.
DSS
Local Government
Police
Foreign Embassies

Local Post Offices are part of the fabric of our society and are a major part of what contributes to a civilised society.

THese closures are just a further example of the gradual whittling away of the institutions and rights that were gained over the years and continue the gradual erosion of our society which started when Thatcher came to power in 1979.
8

The McKellarator,

20/08/2008 09:21:13
http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2008-03-19&number=132&display=allvotes


290 for closures all Labour 251 against including SNP group. Nine Labour MP's against, not one of them a Scottish MP.

9

LAM,

Edinburgh 20/08/2008 09:41:33
I used to work at a postt office and they were always trying to come up with new ideas to promote business... The big crunch came when the benefits books were cancelled and people actually had to arrange either a post office account or bank account for their money to be paid into. We progress and that was a positive step forward those books were a nightmare... people stealing them, losing them, damaging them, not the mention all those elderly people over the years getting mugged for their pensions etc. As technology increases we go forward not backwards. As time goes on we will adjust to the changes and adapt and people will forget the huge lineups on pension or benefit days..where all the elderly and unfortunately large numbers of truly creepy people would come out of the woodwork & filter their way to the PO. Sad but true time to move on..
10

capy,

embra 20/08/2008 09:45:56
Lord Foulkes to the rescue........
11

The McKellarator,

20/08/2008 09:46:01
10 LAME

How does that affect a community in say Eskdalemuir who have at least a 20 mile round trip to Lockerbie for their nearest Post Office? The Post Office was set up as service for everyone including your 'truly creepy people'.
12

Alan B,

20/08/2008 09:49:07
Do not really understand the attachment some people put on the post office.

Surely it is better focusing public money on other areas rather than trying to prop up the PO. I can understand an argument for keeping open an uneconomic PO in a distant rural area but in not urban areas.
13

Margaret L,

Edinburgh 20/08/2008 10:01:04
Why have we all been shut off from commenting on readers' letters???????????
14

Linda,

Edinburgh 20/08/2008 10:23:38
Typical cant from Labour MPs.
"Mark Lazarowicz, Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, is holding public meetings to highlight local community resistance to the proposals."
On 19th March, every Scottish Labour MP at Westminster voted against an opposition motion which sought to delay the closures pending a more thorough review. 19 English Labour MPs thought that closing 2500 post offices was a step too far and rebelled against the government. But not one Scottish Labour MP had the guts to do so.
15

Gregor Addison,

Glasgow 20/08/2008 11:48:46
Here's an old article from the Telegraph from the 21st of March on Post Office closures showing how MPs voted:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1582292/How-Labour-MPs-voted-on-post-office-closures.html
16

,

20/08/2008 12:41:33
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
17

,

20/08/2008 12:52:45
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
18

Calum Crubag,

Alba gu brath 20/08/2008 13:02:00
Mark Lazarowicz, Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, is holding public meetings to highlight local community resistance to the proposals.

????

This is Labour's doing and didn't he vote for the closures in the first place? Labour hypocrites.

Is this another 'Union dividend'?
19

Publius,

London 20/08/2008 17:07:23
#2 bring them on

I don't know why so many post offices were opened in the first place, but I do know why fewer people use them so many can no longer pay their way. Reasons are
(1) An ever increasing proportion of pensions, benefits etc are paid directly into bank accounts via BACS.
(2) Telegrams were abolished some years ago.
(3) Postage stamps are sold at supermarkets and high street shops.
(4) An ever-increasing proportion of communications - faxes, internet, private couriers etc - bypass the Royal Mail altogether.
20

Climate change is a fraud,

21/08/2008 18:12:32
The real reason for Post Office closures:

EU Directive 97/67/EC

VOTE UKIP!

 

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