Post Office Closures
Q: Which Post Offices have been selected for closure?
A: The post offices earmarked for closure in Herefordshire are: Almeley, Bishops Frome, Bishops Wood at Ross on Wye, Brampton Bryan, Brampton Road at Hereford, Brockhampton near Fownhope, Cradley, Dorstone, Edwin Ralph, Llangrove at Ross on Wye, Lower Eggleton, Lyonshall, Pembridge, Redhill at Hereford, Rushall, Sutton St Nicholas, Tudorville at Ross on Wye, Upper Sapey, Whitney on Wye and Wigmore.The post offices earmarked for closure in Worcestershire are: Callow End, Clent, Clifton on Teme, Finstall, Rock Hill, Bengeworth, Church Lench, Cleeve Prior, Elmley Castle, Pinvin, Wickhamford, Mount Pleasant, Upper Welland, Woodrow, Hanley Castle, Link Top, Poolbrook, Rushwick, Bilford Road, Comberton Hill, Stone, The Walshes, Wolverley.
Q: Will any of these be replaced with a reduced service?
A: In Herefordshire, Post Office Limited are intending to partly replace 9 of these post offices with limited 'outreach' services. These are: Almeley, Bishops Frome, Cradley, Dorstone, Lower Eggleton, Pembridge, Upper Sapey, Whitney on Wye and Wigmore. In Worcestershire, Post Office Limited are intending to partly replace 9 post offices with 'outreach' services. These are Callow End, Clifton on Teme, Elmley Castle and Upper WellandQ: What are ‘Outreach’ Services’?
A: There are 4 types of outreach service –1. Mobile Service – a van with incorporated post office counter, stopping at a designated time and place, serving 5 or 6 communities and ranging from a visit every day to 2 visits of one hour per week, depending on size of settlement.
2. Hosted Service – local sub-postmaster runs this in a community building, eg village hall or shop. May serve 2 or 3 communities with full service range, probably once a week, but longer hours than mobile service.
3. Partner Service – run by local businessperson, eg in a shop or pub, with support from sub-postmaster, providing a restricted range of services.
4. Home Service – local sub-postmaster offering a door-to-door service with a restricted range of provision.
Q: Is there a minimum level of service the Post Office is obliged to provide?
A: The Government provides the following minimum access criteria which the PO is required to meet:Nationally -
• 99% of the UK population to be within 3 miles and 90% of the population to be within 1 mile of their Post Office® outlet
• 99% of the total population in deprived urban areas across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® outlet
• 95% of the total urban population across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® outlet
• 95% of the total rural population across the UK to be within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office® outlet
In addition, for each individual postcode district -
95% of the population of the postcode district to be within 6 miles of their nearest Post Office® outlet
Q: Will there be any consultation with local communities?
A: Post Office Ltd are conducting local public consultations in each area. The consultation in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands commenced on the 27 August 2008 and will continue until 7 October 2008. The local public consultation gives individuals and groups an opportunity to express their views and comments on the proposed closures and how their communities will be affected. Responses should be sent to:Mark Partington
Network Development Manager
c/o National Consultation Team
FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM
Email: consultation@postoffice.co.uk
Customer Helpline: 08457 223344
In addition to the above the Parish Liaison and Rural Services Officer at Herefordshire Council (01432 2606511) can provide information on a series of public meetings being arranged by the Council throughout the County where people can discuss the proposed closures and consider what actions may be appropriate.