Counter claim

PLYMOUTH City Council has demanded that Post Office bosses immediately lift the threat of closure hanging over city branches.

The authority has sent a report to top brass at Post Office Ltd which says there is “no compelling case” for axing the counters.

It also calls for an urgent review of the 'branch access reports', on which the closure decisions were based, because they are full of mistakes.

Seven city post offices – Beaumont Road, Pennycomequick, St Levan Valley, Underwood, West Hoe, Plympton St Maurice and Stone Barton – are among 45 on a Devon 'hit list'.

They could shut as part of a Government drive to shed 2,500 of 14,300 branches nationally, to save money.

A six-week consultation period ends on Monday, and the council has submitted a nine-page report, in which it argues the branches must remain open.

The authority demands: “All recommendations for Post Office closures within Plymouth area withdrawn pending a review of the branch access reports.”

And its report stresses: “No compelling case has been put forward for the closure of any branch.”

The report goes on to highlight huge flaws in the data used by Post Office Ltd, in determining which branches face the axe.

These include mistakes in stating the distances to neighbouring branches, and their opening times.

'Obstacles' between branches are highlighted, such as steep steps and hills, which had not been taken into account.

It adds that no evidence has been put forward for other Devon branches – so there's no way of knowing if the most suitable ones have been earmarked for closure.

And no data on the threatened branches' finances has been released, so it's possible successful ones have been singled out, the council document adds.

The report also stresses that any branch closures will put a “much greater strain” on the remaining post offices, causing even longer queues.

And it says Post Office Ltd was wrong when it told people it had consulted with the council prior to drawing up the hit list.

A council Task and Finish Group prepared the document, after consulting widely and holding a public meeting.

The report was then debated and approved by a cross-party Overview and Scrutiny Commission, including Cllrs Andy Kerswell, Peter Berrow, Ken Foster and Tudor Evans, and chaired by Cllr Andy Fox. Cabinet member Cllr Peter Brookshaw signed off the decision.

Cllr Fox told The Herald: “It seems unfair the residents have to suffer because of this.

“We are working for the residents of Plymouth, our interest lies with them.”

A huge 'save our post offices' campaign has been running in Plymouth over the past six weeks. Hundreds of people have taken part in public meetings and marches, and MPs Linda Gilroy and Gary Streeter have been actively involved.

The Herald printed a coupon and earlier this week sent of 427 readers' pleas for branches to remain open.

Yesterday another 18 replies were submitted, making a total of 445.

The coupons will join hundreds of letters, sent direct to Post Office Ltd by city campaigners, and hundreds more sent via postal watchdog Postwatch.

Hundreds more people have signed petitions arguing against the proposed closures.

Abul Tarafder, postmaster at Pennycomequick, said he was pleased the council had backed the campaign.

However, he fears the closures will go ahead and the consultation is nothing more than “an exercise for the public”.

But he said: “There is a hope it (the council report) will make a difference.”