Post office branch closures named

Some rural post offices provide the only access to cash in their area

The Post Office has earmarked 22 branches it wants to close across Oxfordshire, the BBC has learned ahead of an official announcement.

The Post Office has sent all MPs in Oxfordshire a list of the proposed closures in their constituencies before next Tuesday's announcement.

A six-week consultation will follow before a final decision is made.

The Post Office, which wants to close 2,500 branches nationwide, refused to comment on the leaked information.

The government has said four million fewer people are using the current 14,000-strong network each week than two years ago.

Oxfordshire branches earmarked for closure Ardington Begbrook Childrey Combe Crowmarsh Dalton Barracks Farmoor Fyfield Grandpont, Oxford Grimsbury, Banbury Church Way, Iffley Villiers Road, Bicester Long Wittenhan Orchard Way, Banbury Stanmore Crescent, Carterton Stanton St John Upton West End, Witney Wolvercote, Godstow Road Wootton Wootton Road, Abingdon Wytham

Ministers say cuts are needed as the business has been losing £4m a week.

"Obviously these are quite sweeping closures," Ed Vaizey, Tory MP for Wantage and Didcot, told BBC Oxford.

"I don't expect to save every Post Office in my constituency but I hope to make a case for each and every one and I hope the Post Office will listen with an open mind.

"It's a cliche that's often used - ripping the heart out of the community, but that's what will happen," he added.

Evan Harris, Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said he had met with Post Office representatives earlier and had "already made my protest".

"The problem with some of these closures is that it's not just the Post Office that's affected - sometimes it's the shop as well."

There have been several regional announcements about Post Office closures across the UK since 2 October.