Report on Southgate Post Office Public Meeting

1.16.34pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th Jul 2008

Cllrs Nigel Roberts, Colin Darracott and Dine Romero has questions for the Post Office

Liberal Democrat Councillors took part this morning in the public consultation meeting on the proposed closure of the Southgate Post Office in Bath. Liberal Democrats in Bath are opposing this proposal.

This meeting was part of the Enterprise and Economic Development Overview and Scrutiny panel meeting. Councillors had the opportunity to question representatives from Post Office Ltd about the proposal.

Councillor Colin Darracott (Walcot) commented, "Post Office Ltd is clearly not taking account of the developments planned for the southern area of Bath in the proposal to close the Southgate Street branch. It's exactly the same as with the proposal to close the Lower Weston branch, when the Post Office had not taken into account the forthcoming Bath Western Riverside housing development.

"Enormous redevelopment of the area of Bath currently served by the Southgate branch is planned over the next few years, with the new bus station, new Southgate centre and the future redevelopment of Avon Street. "

Councillor Dine Romero (Southdown) added, "The alternatives which the Post Office expect customers to use are the central Post Office and Bear Flat. Obviously Bear Flat is not a realistic alternative due to the steep hill up to it. I asked whether this means that all the customers from the Southgate Street branch will be expected to go to the central Post Office which, although it is modern, is quite small and already sees long queues at peak times."

Councillor Nigel Roberts (Odd Down) said "I'm disappointed we have to go through this again. This proposed closure has nothing to do with the viability of the individual branch; the government and Post Office Ltd are just playing a numbers game.

"Post Office Ltd is being very short sighted - if they close this branch now, they may not have an opportunity to open a new branch in the future."

Visit the Campaign website at http://ourcampaign.org.uk/savebathspostoffices