A 12-POINT action plan to improve the way post offices consult on proposed closures was announced by Communications Minister Stephen Timms last week.

The improvements follow a review by the Post Office and official watchdog Postwatch after hundreds of complaints from local groups across the country that the consultation process needed to be more open.

The Post Office plans to close around 3,000 branches across the country by the end of this year as part of a major urban restructuring programme.

Only three post offices out of 180 were saved from closure in London last year as a result of the consultation process. The figure nationally was not much better just 14 post offices out of 500 have been saved from closure since the programme started.

Many campaigners believe the Post Office is not listening to the concerns of residents living close to the branches highlighted for closure.

There have already been several casualties in Waltham Forest with branches closing in Sewardstone Road, Chingford, Markhouse Road and Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow, Lea Bridge Road and Colworth Road, in Leyton.

Further closures in Cann Hall Road, Leytonstone, and Chingford Mount Road, Chingford, will take place next month.

Among the improvements set out in a written statement to Parliament were moves to:

  • Ensure MPs and local councils are notified as soon as possible of the remaining timetable for starting consultations in their area
  • Make sure MPs and members of the devolved administrations are advised about the proposals one week before they are put to the public
  • Invite councils to provide information on local issues and regeneration projects to help the Post Office prepare future plans for the area
  • Extend public consultations to take account of public holidays that occur during that period
  • Make sure the Post Office takes account of, and responds to, views expressed about the proposed service provision in an area when reaching final decisions on individual closures.
  • Mr Timms said: "The Post Office has to adapt to changing customer demands and it is doing that under the urban re-invention programme. If it does not adapt it will slip into terminal decline.

"A vital part of that programme is the consultation process involved for each proposed closure. It is vital that process is seen to be carried out in an open and fair manner.

"The majority of the consultations are handled effectively, but it has been drawn to my attention by MPs and Postwatch that some aspects of that process have not been dealt with appropriately.

"In response to their concerns I asked the Post Office and Postwatch to review current procedures and produce proposals for improvement. They have responded positively to that challenge."

A losing battle: Protestors outside the post office branch in Cann Hall Road, Leyton. Following its closure they claimed their views were not listened to properly