Page last updated at 09:44 GMT, Tuesday, 8 July 2008 10:44 UK

Post Office set to shut branches

The Post Office has identified 26 of its branches in Cambridgeshire which are expected to close or be replaced with a reduced service.

The Post Office said the cutbacks were necessary to make the service sustainable and most people would still be within a mile of a post office.

The move is part of wider proposals to reduce the number of branches nationwide by up to 2,500.

A public consultation on the proposed closures now begin.

The Post Office's four outreach options are mobile facilities; premises offering a restricted hours service; home delivery and a so-called hosted service where a designated person in the community offers a range of Post Office services.

The full list of proposed closures, with details of the outreach services in brackets, are:

  • Regent Street
  • Trumpington Street
  • St John's Post Office, Hills Road
  • Great Stukeley, Church Road
  • Catworth, High Street (mobile service, five hours a week)
  • Great Gransden, Fox Street (partnership with retailer, same location)
  • Great Gidding, Main Street (mobile service, eight hours a week)
  • Holme, Station Road (mobile service, eight hours a week)
  • Ramsey St Mary, High Street (partnership with retailer, same location)
  • Earith, High Street (partnership at Riverview Hotel)
  • Grantchester, Stulpfield Road
  • Fen Drayton, High Street
  • Impington, Station Road
  • Arrington, Hardwick Arms, Ermine Way (hosted outreach service at same location, two hours a week)
  • Elsworth, The Causeway (hosted outreach at Sport Club, five hours a week)
  • Over, High Street (mobile service, 15 hours a week)
  • Soham, Hall Street
  • Ely, St John's Road
  • Little Downham, Main Street (mobile service, 15 hours a week)
  • Wisbech, Harecroft Road
  • March, St Peter's Road
  • Christchurch, Church Road (mobile service, five hours a week)
  • Benwick, High Street (hosted outreach at Five Alls pub, three hours a week)
  • Woodston, Oundle Road
  • New England, Lincoln Road
  • West Town, Mayors Walk

Dr Charles Winstanley, Chair of Postwatch East, said: "Postwatch accepts the rationale for change.

"It is important that this happens in a way that minimises customer inconvenience and confusion."

Customers have until 26 August 2008 to study the proposals and and give their views to Post Office Ltd.




SEE ALSO
Meeting over post office closures
03 Jul 08 |  Cambridgeshire
Almost 50 post offices to close
01 Jul 08 |  England
Watchdog backs branch post office
28 Jun 08 |  Shropshire
Prince urged to save post office
28 Jun 08 |  Mid Wales

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