Post Office set to shut branches

The Post Office has named branches in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes which are expected to close or be replaced by outreach centres.

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

In Bedfordshire

• Brickhill Drive, Bedford
• Elstow Road, Bedford
• Goldington Road, Bedford
• Midland Road, Bedford
• Springfields, Bedford
• Ravensden
• Stevington
• Stewartby
• Kitelands, Biggleswade
• Blunham
• Old Warden
• Southill
• Chalton
• Eaton Bray
• High Street South, Dunstable
• Luton Road, Dunstable
• Hockliffe Street, Leighton Buzzard
• Linslade

In Luton:

• Slip End
• Atherstone Road
• Biscot
• Biscot Road
• Chapel Langley
• Hightown
• Slip End
• Chalton
• Eaton Bray

In Hertfordshire:

• Bengeo Street, Hertford
• King George Road, Ware
• Ware Road, Hertford
• Blakes Corner, Hitchin
• Hexton
• St Ippolyts, Hitchin
• Station Road North, Harpenden
• Whitwell
• Wadesmill, Ware
• Bedwell, Stevenage
• Benington, Stevenage
• Fairlands, Stevenage

In Milton Keynes:

• Fishermead
• Little Brickhill
• Conniburrow

In Buckinghamshire:

• Gawcott
• Padbury
• Preston Bissett
• Twyford
• Aylesbury Street, Bletchley
• Water Eaton
• Weston Underwood

Dr Charles Winstanley, chairman 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.