SAVE OUR POST OFFICES

5.25.13pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 11th Aug 2004

Lib Dems call for Minister to Face the Music

Manchester Liberal Democrats have called for the Minister for Postal Services, Stephen Timms and Eddie Herbert, the area head of Post Office Ltd to be summoned to appear before the Finance and General Purposes Scrutiny Committee over the controversial plans to close post offices in Manchester. Manchester Liberal Democrats want the opportunity to grill the Minister and Mr Herbert on why the Labour Government want to close vital local services.

Deputy Leader Cllr John Leech said, "The case being made for the closure of local post offices is flawed. When the Post Office were trying to close Barlow Moor Road Post Office in West Didsbury last year we were told that people could go to Burton Road instead. This has resulted in a 39% increase in business at Burton Road, but we are being told that Post Offices are being closed because they are not going to be profitable! The only reason why Post Offices are becoming less profitable is as a direct result of this Labour Government's policies to take away Post Office business to the tune of £400 million."

Beech Road Post Office is also earmarked for closure, claiming that it is "very close to the conveniently located Chorlton branch". Cllr Leech commented, "This is just not true. For people with mobility problem Chorlton Post Office is very inconvenient. There are always enormous queues and nowhere to park nearby for people with disabilities."

Cllr John Leech has made representations to the Scrutiny Chair, to call the Post Office Minister and Eddie herbert to the meeting to be held on 2nd September to answer questions and explain the inconsistencies within their closure proposals.

ENDS

For further information please contact Cllr John Leech on 0161 234 3002 or 07753 659 487 (after 1pm)