Dozens more post offices face axe - plus list of branches earmarked for closure

Published on Tuesday 19 August 2008 22:15

A TOTAL of 26 post offices across Edinburgh, the Lothians and south of Scotland are destined for the axe in the latest round of closures.

A further 32 are due to be downgraded, following a six-week consultation.

Last night the public consultation exercise was branded futile by campaigners, who claimed the government has already decided to close the branches.

The Post Office argued that most people in the region would either see no change or be within a mile of a service.

The closures are part of a cost-saving exercise by the government to shut about 2,500 post offices by the end of the year. Of these, 119 have already been confirmed for Scotland, with a further 70 threatened, including the 26 announced yesterday.

Proposals for downgraded services, known as "outreach" centres, include mobile post offices, run from a van; hosted services based in shops or community centres and fixed-site services, run by a publican for example; and phone orders.

Sally Buchanan, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for Scotland, said taking decisions to close branches was "very difficult" and she acknowledged it would cause concern to many customers.

"We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on, or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes and able to give views on them."

However, the closures were criticised by politicians and campaigners.

Mark Lazarowicz, Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, is holding public meetings to highlight local community resistance to the proposals.

But opposition politicians have blamed Labour MPs in Edinburgh for voting through the programme. John Barrett, Lib Dem MP for Edinburgh West, said: "Labour in Edinburgh cannot now cry crocodile tears for the loss of post offices they voted to axe."

Mike Weir, the SNP MP and industry spokesman, called the announcement a "bitter" blow.

"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," he said.

Christine Grahame, SNP MSP for South of Scotland region, urged Scottish Borders Council to seek a judicial review.

"Myself and my colleagues are determined to fight these changes that will effectively butcher postal services across the region," she said.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, SNP MSP for Lothian region, said she had already received 600 letters from Edinburgh residents.

But Lindsay Scott, of Help the Aged, said there was little point in resisting the move.

"Our experiences show that, regardless of how good an argument you put forward, the decisions have been made. You may save one post office, but another will be closed down the road.

"The whole exercise is futile and a foregone conclusion."

Professor Alan Alexander, of Postwatch Scotland, the watchdog for postal services, said it was important the public took part in the consultation: "I do regret it when people say that consultations are futile, because my evidence is that they are not."

Edinburgh, The Lothians and South of Scotland area -

Post Office branches proposed for Closure

Lincluden, Dumfries

Sheuchan Street, Stranraer

Rosetta Road, Peebles

Elphinstone, Tranent

West Barns, Dunbar

Calder Crossway, Edinburgh

Gorgie, Edinburgh

Longstone, Scotmid Co-op, Edinburgh

Shandon Place, Edinburgh

Magdalene Drive, Edinburgh

Nicolson St, Southside Pharmacy, Edinburgh

Elm Row, Edinburgh

Goldenacre, Edinburgh

Pilrig Toll, Edinburgh

Warrender Park, Edinburgh

Broomhall (Temporarily closed), Edinburgh

Cramond, Edinburgh

Dalmeny, South Queensferry

Grangepans, Bo'ness

Newton Main Street, Broxburn

Breich Rashiehill Terrace, West Calder

Polbeth, West Calder

Carrington, Gorebridge

Easthouses, Dalkeith

The Village Shop, Lasswade

Poltonhall, Bonnyrigg

Post Offices already proposed for closure:

Mount Street, Aberdeen

Mannofield, Aberdeen

Dundee Road, Forfar

Kilry, Kirriemuir

Southmuir, Kirriemuir

Blacklaw, Aberchirder

Broadsea, High Street, Fraserburgh

Longhaven, Peterhead

Ferry Road, Dundee

Monikie, Broughty Ferry

Lochee Road, Dundee

Nethergate, Dundee

Fairmuir, Dundee

Main Street, Halbeath

Dalbeath Crescent, Cowdenbeath

Main Street, Torryburn

Transy, Dunfermline

Denbeath, Leven

Dundonald Park, Cardenden

Kingdom Centre, Glenrothes

Montgarrie, Alford

Glencraig, Crosshill

Hillend, Dunfermline

Blackhall Sq, Kelty

Commercial Street, Kirkcaldy

St Andrews Square, Buckpool

Regent Street, Keith

East End, Forres

Pansport Road, Elgin

Main Street, Lower Largo

Newton of Falkland, Cupar

Scoonie Road, Leven

Westport, Cupar

Fairyburn, Alloa

Bridgend, Perth

Cherrybank, Perth

Garth Avenue, Perth

Mercat Green, Kinrossie, Perth

Glassel, Banchory

Saltburn, Invergordon

Barrock, Thurso

Spittal Post Office, Wick

Harbour Street, Nairn

Kingsmills Road , Inverness

Abriachan, Inverness

High Street, Rosemarkie

Breakish, Isle Of Skye

Contin, Strathpeffer

Earlish, Portree

Mill Street, Dingwall

Maryburgh, Dingwall

Duncanstown, Dingwall

Onich (Temporarily closed), Fort William

Treslaig (Temporarily closed) Fort William

Waternish, Isle Of Skye

Redcastle Station, By Muir of Ord

East Princes Street, Helensburgh

High Street, Campbeltown

Hillfoot Street, Dunoon

Kirn, Dunoon

Combie Street, Oban

Ralston Road, Campbeltown

Eaglesham Road, Clarkston, Glasgow

Skinflats, Falkirk

Brightons, Falkirk

Church Street, Stenhousemuir

Lea Park Drive, Bonnybridge

Wheatlands Avenue, Bonnybridge

Nethermains, Denny

Thornhill Road, Falkirk

St. Vincent Terrace, Glasgow

Allison St, Govanhill, Glasgow

High Street, Glasgow

Springfield Road, Glasgow

Grantlea Terrace, Glasgow

Glenavon Road, Glasgow

Dumbarton Road, Glasgow

Balornock, Glasgow

Forge Street, Glasgow

Red Road, Glasgow

Crow Road, Glasgow

Drumchapel, Glasgow

Inchfad Drive, Drumchapel, Glasgow

Temple, Glasgow

Busby Road, Carmunnock, Glasgow

Castlemilk Road, Glasgow

Clarkston Road, Muirend, Glasgow

Nithsdale Road, Glasgow

Main Street, Callander

Riverside, Stirling

Bowling, Glasgow

Brucehill, Dumbarton

Levenvale Co- Op Store, Alexandria

Glasgow Road, Dumbarton

Radnor Park, Clydebank