Fears over growing number of post offices being closed

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Around 150 post offices have closed this year as part of a 'growing trend' of branches being shut, the postal workers union claimed today.

The Communication Workers Union said many of the 150 sub post offices will stay closed indefinitely and many that do reopen will offer a diminished service such as an outreach van on set days.

The union revealed the figures ahead of a meeting with MPs to warn that the Postal Service Bill going through Parliament will further endanger the post office network and lead to more closures.

Many subpostmasters are retiring or leaving the business because of the low levels of revenue generated in their branches, said the union.

CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: 'We're seriously concerned that despite popular speeches by Business Secretary Vince Cable giving promises that no post offices will close, this Government is failing to protect the post office network.

'Post offices are closing at an alarming rate but don't register until it's too late because they are misleadingly classed as temporary closures.

'Post offices rely on work generated by mails business and most would be unsustainable if this was removed.

'Many of the proposals in the Postal Services Bill, including privatisation of Royal Mail and splitting the postal group apart, seriously threaten mails business arrangements for the Post Office. This needs to be changed before the committee stage of the Bill comes to an end.'

Andy Burrows of Consumer Focus said: 'Since the last programme of post office closures finished, we have continued to see a dwindling in the overall number of branches, which is worrying for consumers.

'A small number of temporary closures are inevitable but, in some cases, consumers tell us that Post Office Limited is dragging its heels in getting services back up and running.

'Post offices provide vital services and are often the hub of the community they serve. When a post office closes, it needs to be reopened as quickly as possible.

'Post Office Limited should give local people regular updates on its progress towards getting the branch open again and provide better information so consumers know where to go in the meantime.'