Post office axe: Four down, but can two survive?

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http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/Post ... 4505505.jp

Published Date:
18 September 2008
By Doug Smith
Battle under way to save branch pair
THE race began last night to save two post offices left hanging by a thread after mail bosses axed the four others on their hit list.

Campaigners at Conniburrow and Fishermead have a further six to eight weeks to persuade independent watchdog Postwatch that thousands living on the estates would face undue hardship if their local branches shutdown.

A mixture of anger and deep disillusionment greeted the announcement that Fenny Stratford, Water Eaton, Little Brickhill and Weston Underwood offices are finally to be go under after protests by residents stretching back over nine months.

Rupesh Lakhani at the Fenny Stratford office said he and other postmasters received a note from Post Office headquarters at the weekend banning them from commenting on the dreaded announcement that was to come three days later.

Keith Ely, chairman of Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council – whose area includes Water Eaton – said: "The people of Bletchley have been let down very badly by the Post Office.

"They were going to close 2,500 offices across the country come hell or high water.

"They have picked off the most vulnerable, irrespective of the needs of the local community."

Mark Covington, who helps out at Weston Underwood where his mother Pat has been postmistress for 32 years, said the office would shut down early in January.

"The whole way it has been done by the Post Office has been faceless. You never spoke to the same person there twice. You would have thought someone who has given service for so long could expect slightly more personal treatment.

"Apart from the pub, this is the only business premises in the village."
Post Office managing director Alan Cook is possibly following developments locally from his home in the city.

His branch office at Shenley Church End is not in danger.

>> Do the two remaining offices on the hit list deserve to stay open when four others are doomed? What do you think about the
closure programme? Let us know, email the Citizen at: editorial@mkcitizen.co.uk