Public Meetings Leave Post Office In No Doubt of Public Feeling

 

Angus MP Mike Weir chaired meetings at Strathmore Arms Hotel Glamis and St. John’s Church Hall on Monday evening to discuss the Post Office proposal to close the Dundee Road Post Office.

 

The meeting was addressed by Connie Hewitt and colleagues from Post Office limited and Chris Thirkettle of Postwatch. Both  meetings were also attended by John Swinney MSP.

 

Commenting on the meetings Mr Weir said that if the Post Office were in any doubt as to the feelings of the local community then they would have been dispelled by the turnout and points made at the meetings.

 

“Glamis Community Council have run a remarkable publicity campaign to highlight their concerns and tonight had the opportunity to put them direct to Post Office limited. They certainly did not miss their chance and showered the Post Office representatives with pointed and well researched questions.”

 

“Of particular importance was the point made that the proposals do not only effect individual residents but could have a very detrimental effect on local businesses.”

 

Mr Weir added that the Forfar meeting also pressed home the real concerns being felt within the community.  

 

“It was abundantly clear that no one believed the proposition put forward by the Post Office that a community the size of Forfar could be adequately served by one Post Office. Many spoke of the difficulties they already face with queues and waiting times at the office which they believe will get much worse if Dundee Road closes.”

 

“Many other raised specific problems with accessing the remaining Post Office.Cllr. Glynis Middleton and others raised the serious issue as to access for the elderly and those with disabilities and pointed out it was very difficult for them to access the office from the Myre Road car park because of the steep path.”

 

“The Post Office representatives can have been left in no doubt that local residents did not feel that they had fully taken into account local circumstances in bringing forward the proposals, and were urging them strongly to go back and think again.”

 

Mr Weir added that residents of both Glamis and Forfar should follow up the meetings by making written submissions to both Post Office Limited and Postwatch.

  

“Local residents have only until 8^th July to make representations on the proposals. I would urge all local residents to write to both Post Office limited and Postwatch to ensure their voices are heard.”

 

Anyone wishing to make representations can write to the Post Office at   Sally Buchanan,  FREEPOST Consultation Team or by email to consultation@postoffice.co.uk . For Postwatch the address is Tricia Dow, Postwatch Scotland, 9-10 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AF or by email to Scotland@postwatch.co.uk

 

 

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