MP Hilary Armstrong, wants people affected to contact her

FOUR post offices in Derwentside are earmarked for closure in the latest part of the controversial programme to cut the national network.

Tantobie, Castleside, Medomsley post offices and Esh Village Stores post office are among 80 in the North-East on a new hit list announced by the Post Office this week - 16 in County Durham.

A fight for survival has already begun at Blanchland post office, near Consett, which is being replaced by an outreach service'.

Blackhall Mill post office is also on the closure list.

The Post Office has started a sixweek public consultation on the proposals.

The Post Office claims that 99.5 per cent of the area's population will either see no change or will remain within a mile of an alternative branch, but the plans have already provoked condemnation.

Countryside Alliance North East Regional Director Richard Dodd said: "Financial viability cannot be the only concern when considering whether to continue subsidising the post office network. Post offices are the social heart of many communities, and without them many thousands of people, including many elderly and disabled, would be increasingly isolated."

North Durham Labour MP Kevan Jones said he would consult with constituents affected by the closures, while North West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong also urged people affected by closures in her constituency to contact her.

She said: "The post offices have been an important part of local communities for many years and the money going in to the post office business from the taxpayer has often helped the shop that the post office is located in, to remain open. There have been many changes in recent years, with fewer people using post offices, and the level of subsidy having to take account of that."

Adrian Wales, Post Office Ltd's regional network development manager, said: "We believe these proposals offer the best prospect for a sustainable way forward for Post Office services in this area."

People wishing to comment should write to Mr Wales, c/o National Consultation Team, Freepost Consultation Team, send emails to consultation@postoffice.

co.uk

11:05am Friday 4th July 2008

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