Post Office doesn't back forces says Army officer

Published on Wednesday 12 November 2008 09:03

ARMY officials and families of troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have criticised the proposed closure of Oxgangs Post Office

As well as serving many elderly and vulnerable people in Oxgangs, the post office provides a vital contact between soldiers serving overseas and their families at Dreghorn and Redford barracks.

And at a packed meeting in Pentland Community Centre last night, Army officers and relatives of serving soldiers said the closure would be a devastating blow to the local community.

More than 200 people, including MSPs David McLetchie and Dr Ian McKie, attended the meeting to discuss the proposed closure of the post office as part of a national rationalisation programme.

Branches at Elm Row and Calder Crossway were dropped from the initial closure programme, but Post Office bosses are now proposing to close the branch at Oxgangs Broadway to make up for the two that have been saved.

They have selected it as they say it is just half a mile away from the next nearest branch in Colinton Mains Drive, and is well served by local bus routes.

Residents argue that the loss of the facility would be a severe blow to the area, particularly the families of soldiers.

Captain Craig McBurnie, an Army welfare officer, said: "I have 120 families who use Oxgangs Post Office. Next year I will have 570 soldiers on tour in Iraq and Afghanistan over Christmas. I know how important packages from family are. This is a clear signal to me that Post Office Ltd is not backing the forces. We need Oxgangs to remain open."

Speaking on behalf of families at Dreghorn Barracks, Laura Panin said: "It would be devastating to our community if the post office was shut down.

"There are a lot of women who want to get parcels to the troops.

"It is not just facts and figures, it is lives that are being affected."

Army wife, Natasha Briggs said: "I have a small baby in a pushchair and I sometimes get refused on buses. I need the post office at Oxgangs to get parcels to my husband."

Firrhill Community Council and Fairmilehead Community Council have launched a petition against the proposed closure and are planning a series of action days to protest against the closure.

Oxgangs Post Office manager Owen Connelly is also fighting to keep the branch open, saying it was a well-used, and important, local service. We are not going down without a fight," he said.

"The old people who cannot move about too well need support. The Army wives, when their husbands go away, need massive support.."

Oxgangs is one of 11 Edinburgh branches which are to be axed under the plans by the Post Office. A consultation period will run until December 15, and Post Office bosses are encouraging as many people as possible to tell them their views.

Sally Buchanan, network development manager for Post Office Ltd, said: "We know how many customers we have and we know what services they are using, but what I don't know and my team don't know is the type of people using that branch. This is why we are having this consultation."

Post Office Ltd will announce its decision on the closure on January 13.