Villagers' opinions sought over post offices (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Villagers' opinions sought over post offices

11:58am Tuesday 2nd September 2008 in News By Ian Boydon

VILLAGERS in South Lakeland and Eden are being asked their views on postal provision in their communities.

People living in Brough and Dent have the opportunity to express their views on how outreach services may be applied in the two villages during a consultation period lasting until October 7.

Postal chiefs axed 34 branches during their recent cost-cutting Network Change Programme – despite strong opposition to some closures during a six-week consultation period - and have promised to replace eight lost branches with an outreach service.

The Post Office Ltd is proposing the replace Brough Post Office with a hosted service in The Reading Rooms, in Main Street, between 9am and 1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The service would also include car tax, passport application checking and on-demand dollars.

In Dent, the axed branch would be replaced by a hosted service at Dent Stores, in Main Street, between 9am and 1pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The services offered would also include car tax, passport application checking and on-demand euros.

People can express their views to the Post Office Ltd by writing, by October 7, to Richard Lynds, Network Development Manager North West, c/o National Consultation Team, Freepost Consultation Team.

Alternatively email consultation@postoffice.co.uk