Friday 6th June 2008

Public Meetings On Forfar and Glamis Post Office Closures Arranged

Angus MP Mike Weir has arranged public meetings in Forfar and Glamis to discuss the Post Office proposals for closure of the Dundee Road Forfar Post Office and the reduction in services at Glamis to a six hour a week Outreach service.

Both meetings are being held on Monday 16^th June. The Glamis meeting will be at the Strathmore Hotel at 6.30pm with the Forfar meeting following at 8pm at the St. John’s Church Hall. Sally Buchanan, the network change manager, and Connie Hewitt ,also from the Post Office in Scotland, will attend both meetings.

Commenting on the meetings Mr Weir said

“These meetings are designed to give the public in Forfar and Glamis an opportunity both to hear direct from the Post Office their reasoning for the changes but also so the Post Office can hear direct from the public their thoughts and feelings on the issue.”

“I have opposed the whole Post Office closure plan from the outset, but nonetheless it is being implemented by the UK government and we cannot wish it away but have to go through the process that is in place. Regretably the current process is not about whether post offices should close but which post offices should close to meet the number set out in the UK government scheme”

“The present consultation process lasts until 8^th July and I would urge all members of the public to make clear their views to the Post Office within that time. Clearly, however, given the nature of the programme it is vital that people make clear the specific impact they feel the closures will have, and point out any defects they feel have occurred in the specific proposals for these branches. “  

As well as the meetings he has set up Mr Weir has confirmed that he will be attending one arranged by Arbroath Community Council to discuss the Cairnie Street closure on 19^th June and, subject to Parliamentary commitments, one organised to discuss the Southmuir Kirriemuir situation on 10^th June.

Ends