Watchdog demands closure rethink

I must say that, on a cold, rainy, miserable Monday morning in January it was quite a tonic to receive the following press release, which was very kindly sent to me by Plaid Cymru AM, Chris Franks

A consumer watchdog's formal demand for a rethink of plans to close Llantrisant post office on Swan Street has been given a cautious welcome by Plaid Cymru politicians.

In a letter to Plaid Cymru, Postwatch, the consumer postal watchdog, states: "... we believe that there are particular aspects of Post Office Ltd's plan which are unsatisfactory...these relate to the following post offices: ... Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf ...."

The letter continues: "We have therefore requested the above proposals are reviewed."

Under plans put out to public consultation before Christmas the post offices at Swan Street, Llantrisant; Cardiff Road, Nantgarw; Graigwen; Hopkinstown; the Graig; Tynybryn Road; and Trehafod will all be closed.

In his letter to Plaid Cymru, Eifion Pritchard, Chair of Postwatch Wales adds: "For other closure proposals within the area plan, we expect Post Office Ltd to implement them."

Plaid Assembly Member Chris Franks responded: "I am very glad that the watchdog have called for a rethink of the closure of the post office on Swan Street. It is a tribute to the campaign fought by local people.

"However, Plaid is opposed to this entire closure plan. We are disappointed that Postwatch have not objected to more of the proposed branch closures.

"While this news is to be welcomed, it is worrying news for the other post offices that the Westminster government has sought to close. Because the government is forcing the Royal Mail to close 2,500 post offices, if one branch is saved another may be forced to close."

Plaid's Leanne Wood AM (pictured above) added: "Plaid has consistently opposed these savage cuts to our local postal services. It's absurd that they are planning these closures at the same time as the Royal Mail Chief Executive is to get an enormous bonus taking his total salary to £1.3 million a year."