HANDS OFF!

After weeks of being sworn to secrecy by the Post Office, sub-postmasters yesterday (Tuesday) were free to express their anger, dismay and disbelief at the proposed closures, claiming that thousands of pensioners, young families and businesses will be hit.

In its statement pinpointing the offices at risk, The Post Office says that while it intends to fully close two offices - at Church Street, Norton, and in the tiny village of Wass - it plans to replace the remaining 10 doomed outlets in Ryedale with what it describes as "outreach solutions".

Adrian Wales, the Post Office's network development manager for the North East, said: "Possible types of outreach service could include a mobile service visiting small communities at set times, a hosted service operated within a third party premises for restricted hours each week, or a partner service within the premises of a local partner such as a pub landlord."

Between now and January 17, the public are being asked to put forward their views on the closure plans and on access to post office services in the future.

"Post Office Ltd's aim is to continue to provide essential services and support retail businesses and the local economy in as many communities as possible, subject to the minimum access set by the Government."

He said rural parts of North Yorkshire, together with East Yorkshire and Keighley in West Yorkshire, would be served by a total of 215 branches.

Mr Wales said the business had come up with the proposals after working with and taking input from Postwatch, the independent watchdog for postal services.

He said such issues as geography, availability of local transport and alternative access to key post office services had been taken into account, together with the impact on local economies.

Within minutes of the Post Office announcing its closure plans, MPs gave angry reactions.

John Greenway, MP for Ryedale, said: "This sounds the death knell for vital rural village shops which survive in tandem with providing a full postal service. This is a complete betrayal of rural communities by a government which doesn't give a damn about the rural areas.

"I am particularly angry that these plans are for consultation only on the type of outreach service to be provided in future'. That means the decision to axe the existing Post Office service has already been taken."

The Countryside Alliance said the closure threats were "sad news".

Regional director, Richard Dodd said: "The news has come as a shock to all those sub post-masters on the list, but the fight certainly doesn't end here. We all feel the Government has missed the point on post offices. Financial viability cannot be the only concern when considering whether to continue subsidising the Post Office network. They are at the social heart of many communities. Government must look at the bigger picture before deciding the fate of many of our local communities." He felt there was "some justification" for providing a mobile post office. "But to plan such a facility for towns and communities such as Norton and Terrington, beggars belief."

Mr Greenway said a post office was "absolutely vital" to the survival of villages shops such as those at Hawnby, Huttons Ambo, Weaverthorpe, Sherburn and Slingsby. "Rural communities need to make the biggest possible protest about these proposals."

Anne McIntosh, MP for the Vale of York, said: "The Government must recognise the special role rural sub-post offices play as part of the fabric and social value of daily life. I will contest these proposals to ensure the most vulnerable continue to have good access within a mile and an absolute maximum of three miles of the nearest post office."

Miss McIntosh said the Government had ignored potential changes to the post office network such as allowing it to offer new services. "News of the closures is a body blow for rural communities. Post offices provide a social contact and a lifeline for older people and those with young families."

Sally Rawlings, chief executive of the Yorkshire Rural Community Council, said: "The post office is seen as the top service used locally on a regular basis - 77 per cent putting it above the village shop in an NFU survey. YRCC believes that access to post office services for those members of the rural community who are totally reliant on them is an essential entitlement.

"We will work closely with those communities affected to identify the extent and nature of the need and see how such services can best be provided in the future."