The closure programme is a national Government initiative, supported by a majority of MPs, and it is therefore the height of hypocricy for the self-same MPs to be campaigning against the closures now.

However, I am also concerned about the council's strategy for opposing the closures. They appear to be setting great store by their Petition. People love to sign petitions. Unfortunately, by so doing, they may imagine this is all they have to do, and not write the personal letters which would, I feel sure, be infinitely more powerful. I would ask the City Council: "How much notice do you take of petitions?", and would hazard a guess: "Not a lot".

As this is a Government programme, I think it's far too late for the Council to be trying to save all 16 post offices now. There may, though, be a chance for a few to be saved, but I believe this will only happen if the Council, and the public, give Post Office Ltd hard facts as to why particular branches should be kept open.

So, if you're concerned about your post office - sign the petition by all means. But write a personal letter too, with good specific factual reasons why your post office should be kept open. This might include such details as inadequate bus services to the proposed alternatives, steep hills which make it difficult to walk, etc. And if you value your post offices, it's essential to keep using them.




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