SNP condemn latest round of Post Office closures

SNP Westminster Post Office spokesperson, Mike Weir MP, has led condemnation of the latest round of proposed post office closures after dozens were earmarked today for closure or downgrading in Edinburgh, the Lothians and the south of Scotland.

Mr Weir said:

"This latest announcement is clearly a bitter blow for the communities concerned, and it is particularly disturbing that these closures will impact on some of the most vulnerable hardest.

"Post Offices provide a lifeline local service, and if these closures go ahead it will undermine both the economic and, in many areas, the social heart of communities.

"Scottish Labour MPs have consistently backed the UK Government's policy which has led to these closures, so it is a bit rich that they are now feigning outrage and concern.

"The fact of the matter is that Labour MPs have been caught on the hop, and now their constituents are paying the price."

South of Scotland SNP MSP, Christine Grahame, has urged Scottish Borders Council to seek a judicial review over the postal plans which she said would 'butcher' post office services in the region.

Ms Grahame, who earlier this year carried out her own extensive consultation of residents over postal services, said:

"Myself and my colleagues on the SNP Council group are determined to fight these changes that will effectively butcher postal services across the region. I know the SNP council group are putting forward an emergency motion to press for this.

"Earlier this year my own extensive consultation with Borderers revealed that 98% were opposed to the changes being proposed by Royal Mail. The subsequent consultation undertaken by Royal Mail was little more than a sham and they have simply failed to listen and act on the concerns of local people.

"These are vital rural services that help maintain and sustain rural life and provide important benefits to communities across the Borders."

Lothian SNP MSP, Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

"Further Post Office closures is a real concern to residents in the Lothians. This so-called consultation has been a sham from the beginning. The Labour Party have run down the network for years and now the Post Office has been given a fixed number to close in the city, no matter how viable the branches may be.

"If the reports are to be believed it looks like the chickens are coming home to roost for Chancellor Darling with four post offices earmarked for closure in his own backyard.

"I have already had over 600 letters from Edinburgh residents concerned about the future of their local branches, many from elderly and disabled citizens who have described the great difficulties they would have in accessing these vital services.

"I will be doing everything I can to help them retain these lifeline services in their local communities."

Note:

The following 26 Post Office branches are proposed for closure:

Breich, Rashiehill Terrace, Breich, West Calder

Broomhall, 41 Broomhall Drive, Edinburgh

Calder Crossway, 10 Calder Park, Edinburgh

Carrington , 4 Primrose Gardens, Carrington, Gorebridge

Cramond, 20 Whitehouse Road, Edinburgh

Dalmeny, Main Street, Dalmeny, South Queensferry

Easthouses, 1 Mayfield Road, Easthouses, Dalkeith

Elm Row, 20 Elm Row Edinburgh

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

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

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