By ROBERT GIBSON & GEMMA SOMERVILLE

Last updated at 13:46, Monday, 07 July 2008

TYNEDALE is set to bear the brunt of post office closures in Northumberland, sparking fears that rural communities could struggle to survive.

Fighting to survive: Blanchland post office, run by Ian and Jacqui Dart, with Jacqui's sister Julie Medlen, (left), is among the 17 branches currently under threat.

A list of potential closures has now been drawn up by Post Office Ltd, and the district is among the worst hit in the county and surrounding areas.

A total of six post offices have been earmarked for outright closure as part of the Government’s bid to halt ongoing financial losses.

Another 11 could be replaced with so-called “outreach services”, which many believe would be poor substitutes, bringing knock-on effects.

A consultation period has begun, but if any earmarked post offices succeed in fighting to remain open it will simply mean others will have to go.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Post Office Ltd said it had formed its proposals from engagement with Postwatch and local authorities. It had considered geography, local transport, access to alternatives and economic impact.

But Hexham’s MP Peter Atkinson branded some proposals “nonsensical”, calling the overall scheme “another nail in the coffin of rural life”.

The Countryside Alliance also criticised the process, with North-East regional director Richard Dodd saying the Government had missed the point.

“Financial viability cannot be the only concern when considering whether to continue subsidising the Post Office network,” he said.

“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.

“Following the removal of many key services, we are urging the Government to recognise the huge social benefit that post offices provide.”

Plans for a reduction in services began in December 2006 when a cut in rural subsidy was announced. It was calculated that around 2,500 branches would go from the network, which is estimated to be losing roughly £4 million per week.

The aim for rural areas now is for 95 per cent of the population to be within three miles of a post office branch. Northumberland is being considered alongside Tyne and Wear and part of Durham.

The hit list was greeted with dismay at Tuesday’s meeting of Tynedale Council.

The council had fought unsuccessfully to have the consultation period on the closures extended from six weeks to three months, as many people could be away on holiday, and unable to express a view.

Coun. Ed Brown, of Langley, described the news as “dire” and added: “It will have a tremendous economic impact on places like Gilsland, Bardon Mill and Slaley, which could now be regarded as unsustainable.”

Coun. Alan Sharp, of Haltwhistle, who has three post offices under threat in his ward, described the scheme as “shortsighted”.

He said: “I am very concerned for elderly residents, many of whom do not drive, and who will have great problems getting to a post office five miles away.

“Many village shops will not survive without the post office subsidy.”

Prudhoe’s Coun. Bill Garrett warned that he had already been told that Post Office Ltd would disregard any petitions.

He said: “What is needed is hard facts and figures to justify keeping a post office open.

“And people should remember that if one post office is saved, another will have to be found to replace it on the hit list.”

Rod Eggleton, who learned the Horsley sub-post office he runs with his wife, Brenda, could close, said: “We knew this was on the cards, but the villagers are not happy. We will not be going without a fight.”

Concern has also been raised in areas destined for outreach services, which could take several forms, from a mobile van to a reduced-hours business based at a local community facility.

Many are worried this will not only lead to a loss of income, but will also hit village shops, which would struggle with no post offices in them.

Ian and Jacqui Dart, of Blanchland Village Shop and Post Office, have been asked to enter a “partner service”, in which Post Office Ltd would cease to be their employer. This would mean increasing hours while taking a salary cut.

The consultation period, which was launched on Tuesday, will now run until August 11. Its main purpose is for Post Office Ltd to ensure its proposals are appropriate.

But Age Concern Northumberland’s information, advice and campaigns manager, Marie McWilliams, said: “It’s important for people to realise that consultation has gone on elsewhere and decisions have been overturned as a result of local protest.

“Age Concern Northumberland would encourage older people across Tynedale to make themselves heard by writing to, or phoning, the national consultation team on this issue.”

The Countryside Alliance also urged participation and will be sending every earmarked branch a pack showing how best to fight closure.

Mr Dodd, from Belsay, said: “This is sad news and will come as a shock to all those sub-postmasters on the list, but the fight certainly doesn’t end here.”

Post Office Ltd’s network development manager for the North-East Adrian Wales, said: “Taking the decision to close any post office branch is always very difficult and we know it will cause concern to many of our customers.

“We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on, or has any concern with post office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes and able to give views on them.

“We believe these proposals offer the best prospect for a sustainable way forward for post office services in this area, bearing in mind the minimum access criteria and the other factors we have to take into account.”

Slaley residents have already called a public meeting to plan their fight against proposals to replace their post office branch with an outreach service.

The meeting, at 7.30pm on Monday, will be held in the Commemoration Hall.

First published at 13:28, Thursday, 03 July 2008
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk