Post office closures confirmed

Two post offices have avoided closure following the consultation Political reaction to closures

A total of 24 post offices across Edinburgh, the Lothians and the south of Scotland have had their closure confirmed following consultation.

Two branches in Edinburgh - at Calder Crossway and Elm Row - have been withdrawn from the original plans.

The Post Office has also confirmed the downgrading of services at a further 32 branches across the area.

Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell described the six-week consultation process as a "sham exercise".

The full list of 24 branches confirmed to close

The 32 branches to see outreach services introduced

The Calder Crossway branch was retained due to access problems to alternative services.

Information regarding the proposed redevelopment of the St James Shopping Centre in the capital prompted the retention of the Elm Row office.

Yet again Post Office Ltd has ignored the views of its customers and has pressed ahead with unpopular proposals Elaine Murray Dumfries MSP

Additionally, following the closure of the Rosetta Road branch in Peebles the Post Office will trial a new outlet at the current location.

It will run for up to 12 months when its performance will be reviewed to decide if it should remain open in the longer term.

However, the changes mean another office is being proposed for closure.

A six-week consultation will start on 4 November on the future of the Oxgangs branch on Oxgangs Broadway in Edinburgh.

The Post Office said the views of more than 3,500 customer responses had been taken on board.

Network development manager Sally Buchanan said: "These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly.

"We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation."

She said the proposals now being offered provided the "best prospect for a sustainable network in the future".

'Simply ignored'

Tory MP David Mundell said he did not believe local concerns had been considered.

"It is quite clear that the Post Office has simply ignored the local representations they received from local communities like Boreland and Ecclefechan," he said.

"I am appalled that they wasted so many people's time, energy and efforts in what was clearly a sham exercise."

Dumfries Labour MSP Elaine Murray agreed that consultation appeared to have made no difference.

"Yet again Post Office Ltd has ignored the views of its customers and has pressed ahead with unpopular proposals," she said.

"The closure of Lincluden Post Office was opposed virtually unanimously by residents who responded to our campaign, yet this has cut no ice with the Post Office."

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The following 24 Post Office branches have been confirmed for closure:

• Breich, Rashiehill Terrace, Breich, West Calder

• Broomhall, 41 Broomhall Drive, Edinburgh

• Carrington , 4 Primrose Gardens, Carrington, Gorebridge
• Cramond, 20 Whitehouse Road, Edinburgh
• Dalmeny, Main Street, Dalmeny, South Queensferry
• Easthouses, 1 Mayfield Road, Easthouses, Dalkeith
• Elphinstone, 3 Main Street, Elphinstone, Tranent
• Goldenacre, 20 Montague Terrace, Edinburgh
• Gorgie, 556 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh
• Grangepans, 14 Grangepans, Bo'ness
• Lasswade, 12 High Street, Lasswade
• Lincluden, 40 Lincluden Road, Dumfries
• Longstone, 7 Kingsknowe Road North, Edinburgh
• Magdalene Drive, 46 Magdalene Drive, Edinburgh
• Newton, Main Street, Newton, Broxburn
• Nicolson Street, 79 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh
• Pilrig Toll, 10 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh
• Polbeth, 12-13 Limefield Road, Polbeth, West Calder
• Poltonhall, 12 Hopefield Park, Bonnyrigg
• Rosetta Road, 1 Weymss Place, Peebles
• Shandon Place, 57 Slateford Road, Edinburgh
• Scheuchan Street, 59 Scheuchan Street, Stranraer
• Warrender Park, 73 Warrender Park Road, Edinburgh
• West Barns, 2a Edinburgh Road, West Barns, Dunbar

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The following 32 Post Office branches are to be replaced by an outreach service:

• Ancrum - Hosted
• Bonchester Bridge - Hosted
• Bowden - Mobile
• Eccles - Mobile
• Greenlaw - Mobile
• Hutton - Mobile
• Morebattle - Hosted
• Clovenfords - Mobile
• Fountainhall - Mobile
• Oxton - Mobile
• Heriot - Mobile
• Balmaclellan - Mobile
• Colvend - Mobile
• Corsock - Mobile
• Creetown - Partner
• Dunscore - Hosted
• Kirkcowan - Partner
• Lochfoot - Mobile
• Moniaive - Partner
• Mossdale - Mobile
• New Abbey - Mobile
• Bentpath - Home
• Boreland - Hosted
• Collin - Hosted
• Ecclefechan - Partner
• Eskdalemuir - Hosted
• Glencaple - Hosted
• Drem - Hosted
• Garvald - Hosted
• Gifford - Partner
• Innerwick - Hosted
• Stenton - Hosted