PO branch saved but 48 to close

Bradley post office in Wrexham is one of the 48 due to close

The Post Office has announced 48 branches across north Wales are to close, following a consultation period.

This is four fewer than the 52 earmarked for closure when the initial list was unveiled in July.

Only one branch is saved outright - Cerrigydrudion post office at Corwen, Denbighshire. Another three will have a change to either their opening hours or the services they have available.

There has been a mixed response from campaigners.

Consumer Focus (previously Postwatch) welcomed the decision to save the Cerrigydrudion branch.

"We opposed this particular proposal on the basis that customers would have been excessively inconvenienced were this closure to proceed," said the group.

I feel incredibly angry, everyone here is in shock Ann Jones, post office campaigner

The full list of closures comes at the end of seven weeks of public consultation.

During this time Post Office Ltd said they received around 1,450 responses to the proposed changes.

The company said it had decided to retain a total of 271 branches across the north Wales area, but to go ahead with 48 closures, and 13 replacement outreach services.

The outreach services are proposals which could mean communities are serviced with either mobile post offices, or a post office is set up in a premises for a few hours each week.

A further review is to take place into the future of branches at Church Terrace, Llandudno Junction, Llanfrothen and Llanfwrog.

Post Office Ltd's network development manager for Wales Steve Geraty said the decisions had been "difficult" and "not taken lightly".

'Long term'

"We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation and we believe the amended plan announced today offers out customers the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future."

Mr Geraty said all decisions had been taken bearing in mind the UK government's minimum access criteria and the other factors the it had asked to be considered.

"We need to look at the future and the long term viability of all the remaining branches in this area, especially in Cerrigydrudion," he added.

"I would like to appeal to all customers and businesses across north Ales to support their local branch."

On Anglesey, news that the village of Talwrn will lose its post office was met with dismay by Ann Jones who had campaigned to keep it open.

Angry

"I feel incredibly angry, everyone here is in shock," she said. "I'm angry too at the way we have been treated by the Post Office.

"We have worked very hard to keep the post office open and they (Post Office Ltd) have not listened.

"This will be a huge loss to the village."

At Trawsfynydd opening hours will be cut.

Local Gwynedd councillor Tom Ellis said: "I am glad it is not closing but the hours will be halved.

"I'm afraid that people will go elsewhere and over time the service will deteriorate."

Clwyd West MP David Jones said he was also disappointed that seven post offices in his constituency would close but "relieved" Cerrigydrudion was to be spared.

"The proposal to close that office, in a particularly remote area and in an important local centre, never made sense," he said.

"The community in and around Cerrigydrudion fought an effective battle to keep their post office open and I am delighted that their effort has paid off."

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has said he was "deeply saddened" by the closure of four local post offices.

"The issue now is ensuring that as much business as possible is transacted through Wrexham's remaining post offices," he said.

North Wales AM Janet Ryder added: "Management has shown no mercy, despite the vigorous community campaigns to save these services. Villages across the north will lose out."

Branches to close are:

Aberangell, Machynlleth; Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay: Acton Park, Wrexham; Alexandra Road, Llandudno; Bradley, Wrexham; Brynford, Holywell; Brynhedydd, Rhyl; Bwlchtocyn, Pwllheli; Caergeiliog, Holyhead; Carmel, Holywell; Carneddi, Bethesda; Church Drive, Rhos-on-Sea; Clocaenog, Ruthin; Cwm-y-Glo, Caernarfon; Cymau, Wrexham.

Deiniolen, Caernarfon; Four Mile Bridge, Holyhead; Gerlan, Bethesda; Golftyn, Deeside; Grange Road, Rhyl; Gronant, Prestatyn; Gwernmynydd, Mold; Holyway Londis Stores, Holywell; Lixwm, Holywell; Llaingoch Community Centre, Holyhead; Llanbedrgoch, Llanbedrgoch; Llanbedrog Fford, Pwllheli; Llandegfan, Old Llandegfan; Llandudno Road, Colwyn Bay; Llangian, Pwllheli; Llanwnda, Caernarfon.

Marchwiel, Wrexham; Morfa, Morfa Conwy; New Brighton, Mold; New Broughton, Wrexham; Penmorfa, Porthmadog; Ponciau, Wrexham; Pontybodkin Reflections Hairdressers, Mold; Rhos y Medre, Wrexham; Rhosemor, Mold; Rhosrobin, Wrexham; Sumerhill, Wrexham.

Talwrn Siop Isa, Llangefni; Talybont, Barmouth; Tanyfron Llwyn Ifor Stores, Wrexham; Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog; Trevor, Llangollen; West End, Pwllheli.