Don Foster

Liberal Democrats | Bath

Foster demands Lower Weston Post Office remain open

It has emerged today that the Post Office Ltd did not take into account the Bath Western Riverside development when drawing up the Network Change Programme for Bristol and Somerset. Future developments are supposed to be taken into account.

Commenting, local MP Don Foster said,

“Now that this information has been revealed it is time for Post Office Ltd to hold their hands up and admit they have made a mistake.

“Lower Weston Post Office must remain open. There could be more than 4,000 new residents here and many new businesses. Will these new residents be expected to go to Moorland Road Post Office, which is already very busy, and will likely take on customers from the proposed Bear Flat Post Office closure? Or will they be expected to go to the city centre?

“If this consultation really is meaningful, and isn’t the sham consultation some have accused it of being, then Lower Weston Post Office must remain open.

“I have now written to the Network Development Manager and the Chief Executive of Post Office to ask that the Lower Weston Post Office now be removed from the Area Plan Proposal list to be closed and that it remain open”

In the Crest Nicholson site of Western Riverside alone there will be 2,200 homes with approximately 4,000 residents and the first residents moving in as early as 2009. Additionally the Western Riverside development will contain other properties and many businesses for whom Lower Weston Post Office will also be their nearest.

A Spokesman for Crest Nicholson said:

“We’re anxious to support the local community facilities and support the campaign to save the Post Office”

Local Councillor Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst (Lib Dem, Newbridge) said:

“Elderly and vulnerable residents cannot be expected to walk up the long, steep hill to Weston Village. The previous closure of Yomede Post Office has already given a number of people a long walk to the services that they need.”

Fellow ward Councillor Caroline Roberts (Lib Dem, Newbridge) added:

“Additionally, there are many local businesses in the area that rely on the services provided by the Lower Weston Post Office.

“This Post Office is already busy, and is an important part of the local community. With Western Riverside on the way, it is vital that this office remains open.”

1) The text of Don’s letter to the Network Development Manager and Post Office Ltd is as follows:

Dear Sir/Madam

Re: Post Office Network Change Programme

As you will be aware, the Lower Weston Post Office in my constituency is scheduled for closure as part of the Bristol and Somerset Network Change Programme. The Area Plan document states: “we have been made aware of regeneration plans affecting areas within the overall proposal and have taken these into consideration when constructing the Area Plan Proposal.”

I have since learnt that the Bath Western Riverside has not been taken into account. Crest Nicholson are developing part of the site and will be building 2,200 homes which could house approximately 4,000 residents with the first residents moving in as early as 2009. Additionally the Western Riverside site will contain other properties and many businesses for whom the Lower Weston Post Office will be their nearest.

I am writing to you to ask that the Lower Weston Post Office now be removed from the Area Plan Proposal list to be closed and remain open. There are already concerns regarding elderly residents getting to Weston village or Moorfields Post Offices and local businesses in Lower Weston are also going to suffer.

Lower Weston is clearly a busy Post Office. According to your Branch Access Report, it takes 1,000-1,499 Customer Sessions per week. Weston takes a similar amount, and Moorfields takes 2,500-2,999. Moorfields Post Office is also proposed to take the majority of customers who currently use Bear Flat.

With an extra 4,000 residents and many new businesses, Lower Weston is in a position to become a far busier Post Office, one that provides a vital service to a local community and one which can make a profit for Post Office Ltd.

I would welcome your comments and look forward to hearing from you.

2) Cllr Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst can be contacted on 07973 683 874