Wales postal closures slammed - DO Closing

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.newswales.co.uk/?section=Com ... 1&id=13089



29/1/2008

Labour need to learn the lessons from Beeching and not destroy the valuable community resource we have in the Post Office network, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Michael German AM warned today.

And a plan by the Royal Mail to close its letter delivery office at Llanrwst has been angrily criticised by Plaid Cymru AM for Aberconwy Gareth Jones.

A letter has been sent to postal workers at the office informing them of the decision to relocate the operation to the Llandudno Delivery Office 15 miles away. As well as requiring all local postmen having to work from Llandudno, it will mean that Conwy Valley residents will have to travel there to collect undelivered parcels.

Mr Jones is accusing the Royal Mail of pursuing a cost-cutting agenda without any regard being given to the needs of the people it should serve.

"With over 36,000 items of mail sorted there weekly, the local office plays an important role in the town. It is yet another example of the centralisation of services for the convenience of accountants and managers instead of putting their customers
first," he said today.

"It would be another blow to the town of Llanrwst and the surrounding rural areas, as it would increase the need for people to travel out of the town.

"I am also deeply concerned about the future of postal workers' jobs - as it is clear that the only real motive behind these proposals is to save money."

During First Minister's Questions, Mr German challenged Rhodri Morgan to stand up for Post Offices and local communities in the face of massive cuts.

Mr German said: "We haven't seen such a large-scale shut-down of a public resource since Beeching carved up the rail network. And once again, profit is being placed ahead of social function.

"Communities without Post Offices means people reliant on public transport can be stranded, because they simply can't get to their nearest branch easily. It can mean losing a valuable meeting place. When Post Offices are combined with other local services such as shops, communities may face a double loss of services.

"Under Labour in Westminster and Cardiff Bay, we have seen unprecedented numbers of Post Office closures. I would advise Rhodri Morgan to stand up for Post Offices now, before it's too late."