October 14, 2008

STRONGER COMMITMENTS NEEDED ON POSTAL SERVICES, SAYS MP

MP John Healey is asking for a meeting with Post Office chiefs who have today decided to go ahead with closing selected branches in Rotherham.

He wants to see clearer commitments on Post Office services for people who use the Parkgate and Harley branches, which Post Office Ltd (POL) have confirmed they want to shut.

Mr Healey said he was disappointed with the decision and remained concerned that the main alternative branch to Parkgate at Bellows Road could be closed when the planned redevelopment of the shopping centre goes ahead.

He said: “I want to discuss the steps POL will take to help guarantee a continued service, with support for any temporary relocation and reopening as a result of the development.”

He was also critical that this risk to Bellows Road was not even mentioned in today’s report, and questioned whether this concern had been considered in the decision to press ahead with the Parkgate closure.

In his submission to POL as part of the consultation process, Mr Healey objected to the proposed closure of Parkgate Post Office because of the likelihood that the Bellows Road branch could be closed while the proposed redevelopment goes ahead, as well as Parkgate’s value to local residents and businesses.

And he said Harley should stay open because it was a rare amenity in the village and bus services to the alternative post offices were inadequate. The service from Harley to Wentworth runs just once a day and would only give people 11 minutes to walk from the bus stop to the post office and back, and carry out their transactions. Harley bus users wanting to get to Chapeltown would face a round-trip of about an hour.

Mr Healey said: “Given the bus services I am worried about Harley residents without cars being left without a convenient alternative to Harley Post Office and I want POL to consider a mobile service, perhaps once or twice a week, to help.”