Call to save rural post offices

Campaigners say rural communities will be hit hardest

Residents are being urged to make better use of rural post offices or risk losing many, under controversial closure plans by Royal Mail.

Almost 40 post offices in South Durham and Teesside are faced with closure as part of wider plans to reduce the number of branches nationally by 2,500.

Threatened areas include Darlington, Barnard Castle, Redcar, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Spennymoor.

Teesdale Council said communities should to try to keep offices viable.

Royal Mail claims 99% of people will see no change in services or will have to travel no more than a mile to their nearest branch.

AREAS FACING CLOSURES Darlington - 6 post offices Hartlepool - 4 Middlesbrough - 3 Spennymoor - 3 Bishop Auckland - 3 Stockton - 3 Northallerton - 2 Richmond - 2 Barnard Castle - 2 Newton Aycliffe - 2 Saltburn - 2 Billingham - 2 Catterick - 1 Shildon - 1 Redcar - 1

But opponents say the move will have a severe impact on communities, especially those in rural areas.

Teesdale Council's lead member for Engagement and Consultation, Madeleine Walton, said: "For many people in rural areas, post offices are a lifeline and a tremendous local facility and once they are lost, can seldom be re-introduced.

"Equally, we must recognise that if usage of a post office is very low, its future is likely to be called into question, and communities must therefore understand that it is a case of use it or lose it.

"This is very much an issue where we must ensure that where we want to keep a post office open, we in the community must be prepared to provide the custom to keep it viable."

Judith Donovan, chair of industry watchdog Postwatch in the north of England, said: "Postwatch accepts the rationale for change. It is important that this happens in a way that minimises customer inconvenience and confusion.

"That means Post Office Ltd's decisions must be sensible and public consultation meaningful. Our priority is to ensure this is the case."