Post Office plan outrages council

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

Oxfordshire families sending parcels to loved-ones serving in Afghanistan and Iraq will suffer if planned post office closures go ahead, a council says.

The Post Office has named 66 branches it proposes to close in the county and Gloucestershire under plans to shut 2,500 nationwide by the end of 2008.

But it said 291 branches would remain open across the two counties.

Barry Norton, West Oxfordshire District Council Leader, said he is outraged nine district post offices will go.

I am outraged by the proposed closure at Stanmore Crescent, Carterton which is relied on heavily by service families Barry Norton West Oxfordshire District Council Leader

The Post Office said the controversial proposals included 18 "outreach" services replacing branches in smaller communities.

Councillor Norton said because there were no alternative services proposed for four of the nine branches "communities would be hit hard" and "more pressure would be put on the already overstretched post offices at other locations".

Those earmarked for closure with no replacement service are at Combe, Wootton near Woodstock, Stanmore Crescent in Carterton and at West End, Witney.

The plan proposes alternative services to replace existing post offices at Chadlington, Enstone, Great Rollright, Great Tew and Tackley.

"I am outraged by the proposed closure at Stanmore Crescent, Carterton which is relied on heavily by service families sending parcels to forces personnel in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Closing this facility is no way to treat a large section of the community and will only add to the stress people there are already under with loved ones at great risk far from home."

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A six-week consultation is under way before a final decision is made.

It has also been revealed that a further five branches will be replaced by "outreach services", taking the total number of branch closures across Oxfordshire to 27.

Christine Donnelly, who runs the post office in Great Milton and is secretary of Oxfordshire's Federation of Sub-Postmasters, has said people must find strong arguments for keeping their local branch open.

The closing date for sending feedback to the Post Office about Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire is 17 March 2008.