Letter to Post Office on closures in Yeovil

1st April 2008

National Consultation Team
Post Office Ltd
FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM

Dear Sir or Madam.

Ref: Bristol and Somerset area closure proposals for Yeovil

I am writing concerning your proposals to close post offices in the Yeovil area, namely at: Mudford, East Coker, Barwick, Haselbury Plucknett and Goldcroft in Yeovil.

Our post offices in all these areas (4 rural and one town) are important to the people who live near them and provide a vital lifeline for often isolated and vulnerable groups. The alternatives available to many of those living near these offices are just not easily accessible and often require considerable hazards should you wish to walk to them.

You may not be aware that Yeovil is to undergo significant housing development in the future and your plans appear to take no account of what the future needs of the community might be. One of the proposed sites already has a weekly footfall of between 1,000 and 1,500 and could well be significantly higher as the population of Yeovil expands.

I have spoken to large numbers of residents - both near and far from all these post offices - and they are worried, annoyed and frightened by the future for their communities once you have taken away this vital link.

I am equally aware that some enlightened local authorities are in discussion with Post Office Ltd to ascertain what they can do to carry on the work of the Post Offices in some of their areas. I would urge you to contact Somerset County Council, and South Somerset District Council, to put in place plans for the expansion of services from these Post Offices that will secure their long-term future.

I urge you to reconsider what you have proposed and do what you can to save these post offices for the future well-being of the people of Yeovil.

Yours faithfully,

Kevin Davis
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Yeovil