Fury over plans to move Post Office

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Fury over plans to move Post Office away from the heart of village

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Residents in the north of Cardiff are furious about proposals to move a Post Office away from the heart of Whitchurch Village.

If plans get the go-ahead, the Post Office could move from its central location in Merthyr Road to Park Road – next to a busy roundabout.

Craig Williams, who will be standing as the Conservative candidate for Cardiff North at next year’s General Election, hosted a meeting at Bethel Baptist Church on Monday to discuss the proposals. "The meeting was attended by 100 people, who voted unanimously that they did not want the Post Office to move," he said.

"When we asked why, they said it was all about accessibility."

Those opposed to the plans fear that elderly and disabled residents would not be able to access the Post Office at the proposed site at The Malvern, which has limited parking.

Mr Williams said: "Parking is the main issue. At the moment, we have a problem with heavy congestion and if you were going to the Post Office at the proposed site, it is likely that you would take your car, and this could only compound the problem."

Opponents also fear that a drop in footfall currently attracted by the Post Office would damage local shops and cafés on Whitchurch High Street.

Mr Williams added: "In my opinion, Whitchurch High Street is the best in Cardiff and the Post Office is central to that. People go to the Post Office and they also buy vegetables and go for a coffee.

“Whitchurch has had a Post Office for 100 years – it is at the heart of the community.”

He explained the proposals had been met with "surprise, shock and huge concern" from residents.

"It may only be a move of 500 yards or so, but it would take the Post Office out of the village," he said. "Some older residents use the Post Office every day."

According to Mr Williams, the Post Office has confirmed it will look at "all viable alternatives".

A drop-in was held yesterday and attended by dozens of people.

Jo Huntley, 79, has lived in Whitchurch since she was seven.

"The Post Office has been in Whitchurch Village for as long as I can remember," she said.

Jo, who is also chair of the local PACT committee, said: "People are up in arms at the fact the Post Office will move. It is going to take a vital resource from the village."

She added: "The parking at The Malvern is absolutely horrendous. At the moment, there are four spaces there and they are constantly in use. Where they are going to put the cars, I have no idea. I do not think it could survive there.

"The people who use the Post Office are older people drawing their pensions. They would have to cross five zebra crossings to get there."

A consultation on the plans, which opened at the beginning on June, will close on July 23.

Another public meeting to discuss the future of the Post Office's will be held on Monday, July 21 at 7.30pm at Whitchurch Community Centre.

The meeting has been organised by Julie Morgan AM, Mari Williams, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Cardiff North, and the four Whitchurch and Tongwynlais councillors - Chris Davis, Jonathan Evans, David Groves, and Ben Thomas.

Mari Williams said: "Lots of residents, particularly older people, have raised concerns with me about the Post Office moving.

"Whitchurch is a thriving village and small independent businesses are worried about the impact the move might have on trade. We hope as many people as possible can come along to the meeting.”