Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, has met Post Office management to register his concerns about proposals to close sub post offices in his constituency.
Mr Fraser said, “We had a positive dialogue about the criteria used to identify the sub post offices scheduled to close and the issues faced by the Post Office in managing the Government’s agenda to substantially reduce the post office network.
“I secured an assurance from Post Office Limited that the compensation due to be paid to sub postmasters and postmistresses will not be threatened if they talk to their customers about the situation they face. Some had indicated to me that they believed an on-going gagging order was in place.
“Most important, the Post Office has accepted my request that they attend a public meeting in the constituency, to meet sub postmasters whose offices are due to close and hear the views of members of the public. I stressed that the meeting should be scheduled as soon as possible, so that we can all then contribute to the formal consultation with a better understanding of how to respond to the proposals. I am waiting for confirmation of the date, and shall ensure that my constituents are aware of the arrangements well in advance.
“I have made it absolutely clear to Post Office Limited that the community in a rural county like Norfolk, without a regular bus service, faces huge difficulties when yet another local service closes. Elderly people in particular will find it difficult to cope. It is clear to me that some of the alternative arrangements suggested are entirely inappropriate, and are evidence of a basic misunderstanding of life in our villages. I have also pointed out that our towns are earmarked for considerable housing development, with which the infrastructure will not cope. To close sub post offices at this stage is utterly short-sighted.
“This one-size-fits-all policy does not work in the countryside – it could jeopardise village shops and be devastating for rural communities. I am fighting for every one of the post offices scheduled to close.”
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