THE final post offices to face the axe in the Lothians were revealed today as a public consultation into the controversial proposals gets under way.
Three post offices are recommended for closure in the West Lothian area, bringing the total number of under-threat branches in the Lothians up to 22.
The Evening News revealed last week that 13 post offices were being recommended for closure in Ed
inburgh, after details were leaked ahead of today's official announcement.
Four are earmarked for closure in Midlothian and two face the axe in East Lothian.
A further five branches in East Lothian would be replaced by alternative services under the plans, including moving to makeshift post offices and part-time provision.
Campaigners fighting to save their local post offices say they are preparing to go all the way to protect services in their neighbourhoods.
Post Office Ltd today insisted that under its plans, 99.6 per cent of people living in Edinburgh and the Lothians will see either "no change" to their nearest branch, or will remain within one mile of an alternative branch.
Those against the plans, however, say they will hit elderly and disabled people hardest, as many will be unable to travel elsewhere.
A public meeting has been arranged for September 11 in the Southside Community Centre over plans to close the busy Nicolson Street branch.
Owner Mohammed Iqbal said he had been left "devastated" by the proposals and said he was shocked that the branch was on the hit-list.
He said: "It's a very busy branch and it's not as if this post office is losing money for them.
"Customers would have to go to Newington and they won't be able to cope because it will be too busy with all our customers too.
"This branch is handy for people because it is on the bus route.
"There is also sheltered housing right in front of us.
"All we can do now is try to fight it."
Plans to close two branches in West Barns and Elphinstone and make Drem, Garvald, Gifford, Innerwick and Stenton part-time are also being opposed.
Campaigner Amy Rodger said: "Reducing the hours of these post offices, tantamount to closure, will cause great difficulty to those who rely on the services available at branches, particularly the elderly and disabled. A post office in a rural area is not necessarily going to have the same number of customers as a larger town, but it's still an essential part of the community.
"There is still time to save these post office services."
The UK Government voted to close 2500 branches nationwide because new technology and changing lifestyles mean people are visiting post offices less. More than 20 branches have already closed in Edinburgh since 2001. A six-week consultation starts today.
Sally Buchanan, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for Scotland, said: "Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our 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.
"We believe these proposals offer the best prospect for a sustainable way forward for Post Office services in Edinburgh, the Lothians and south of Scotland, bearing in mind the minimum access criteria and the other factors to which we have to have regard."
The full article contains 587 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
