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Post offices ko’d

Mark Hesford
15/ 8/2008

TWO post offices have lost their battle for survival despite widespread public and political backing.

The branches on Rochdale Road, Harpurhey and Waterloo Road, Lower Crumpsall are among 65 post offices in the region set to shut as part of a nationwide cull.

Proposals for the closures were announced in June, followed by a six week consultation in which public and politicians alike threw their support behind the branches.

Council officials and Blackley MP Graham Stringer made representations on their behalf, while petitions to save them saw 1,072 people signing to support Rochdale Road and 1,185 people putting their names to Waterloo Street's cause.

But despite such opposition, the Post Office will close the branches as part of their national 'Network Change Programme'.

In a 'decision booklet' published Tuesday, the network explained they are closing the branches because of the close proximity of several other post offices within a mile radius of each site.

The Post Office claim that most of the proposed alternatives are suitable replacements as they offer longer opening hours, a wider range of services and disabled access.

They also assert that the majority of them are easy to reach by both car and bus, and claim that, as there are already limited shops in Lower Crumpsall, most residents there probably travel to other areas for their retail needs already.

Mahendra Keshwala, manager of the Rochdale Road branch said: "I'm very saddened; after all our effort and public support they still won't listen.

"There's going to be a lot of people - especially disabled people and the unemployed - left without a post office. They're all going to suffer.

"The government go on about saving the environment, but there's going to be a lot of petrol used to transport people to other post offices."

Reg Patel, manager of the Lower Crumpsall branch said: "It just feels like the consultation was a waste of time, they weren't going to listen to us. Since we explained why we feel we should stay open, they haven't been round to see us or speak to the people.

"I'm just devastated, I've been here 34 years, seen three generations grow up. I'm 65 now, and I was planning to retire, but I feel sorry for the customers.

"It'll be hard for some of the elder people to go elsewhere. Some of the customers were crying when they found out this morning."