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Post office closures 'a done deal'
A GREEN councillor fears the proposed post office closures across Leeds are a "done deal."
Coun Ann Blackburn (Farnley and Wortley) met members of the Post Office Network Change team to press the case for retaining three offices in her patch.
But she said later: "I didn't get any positive vibes. I did my best to put arguments forward but I didn't get the feeling that they would look at them.
"They didn't seem particularly interested in what I had to say and I am not convinced this is a proper consultation. I have it in writing that the Government will not take any notice of petitions.
"That is why I am urging people to send individual letters.
"They have made it clear that the Government has instructed them to close 'X' amount of post offices. They are trimming the ones that don't bring in the money. And they say that if they reprieve some offices, they willl have to close others instead."
Coun Blackburn said she made the case for retaining Heights Drive post office, Oldfield Lane PO and Wortley PO on Tong Road.
Closure of these would mean customers faced long journeys or bus changes and crossing busy roads to get to alternative post offices. Residents using the Heights Drive post office made their feelings known with a street protest.
Morley town councillor Josie Jackson, who is fighting to save Newlands and Britannia Road offices,wants the consultation period to be extended.
She has asked her local MP Colin Challen if he will take this up with the Business and Enterprise Minister Pat McFadden.
"I don't think six weeks is long enough," she said, "We could do with another four to six weeks. People haven't been given much time to digest the information and organise themselves."
Coun Jackson has handed over a petition with nearly 4,500 signatures to Mr Challen.
Last Friday three Conservative Parliamentary candidates – Matthew Lobley (Leeds North-East), Julia Mulligan (Leeds North-West) and Stuart Andrew (Pudsey) – travelled to Downing Street to present petitions supporting threatened offices in their constituencies.
Meanwood post office on Meanwood Road will close on Tuesday, June 24, and re-open 200 yards away at 12 Green Road on June 30.
It will offer the same range of goods and services and have better parking. During the change, customers can use Headingley post office or any other branch.
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 25 May 2012
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