KEETCH COMMENTS ON POST OFFICE CLOSURE PROPOSALS

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th Aug 2008

MP for Hereford, Paul Keetch, has been advised that seven post offices in his constituency will be affected by the plans proposed by Post Office Limited.

In a confidential briefing given to the MP Mr Keetch was told that some further changes might occur as not all postmasters and employees had been given details at that time. The MP was asked not to divulge any information until the proposals were made public on 27 August 2008 as a matter of courtesy to those affected. The consultation period will run from 27 August to 7 October 2008.

"The information I was given was commercially sensitive," Mr Keetch said, "If others chose to abuse this privileged embargo that was up to them but it was not something that I was prepared to do.

"However, I can now confirm that closures have been proposed for Brockhampton, Bishopswood, Llangrove, Redhill in Hereford and the Brampton Road branch in Newton Farm. Dorstone Post Office will be replaced with an outreach service and Tudorville Post Office in Ross-on-Wye is to have an outreach provided on a trial basis to determine whether it should remain in the longer term.

"I have arranged to meet with representatives of Post Office Ltd, Postwatch and the Council's group leaders next week to take forward a joint approach to the consultation on a non-political basis. I am only sorry that Bill Wiggin MP is unable to join us - all others invited have confirmed they are attending. We need to ensure that the whole county is adequately provided for in light of the proposals and I will be urging those present to do the right thing for the residents of Herefordshire. We cannot afford to lose valuable community services - particularly where there are elderly and vulnerable residents relying on them," the MP added.

Full information on the proposals will be available on the Post Office website from 1000 hrs 27 August 2008 and can be accessed via www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content1?catId=57600693&mediaId=57600696