Davidson: "There remains extremely worrying questions"

Jane Davidson, AM for Pontypridd, has circulated a press release in which she expresses her dismay at the letter she received from Eifion Pritchard, Chairman of Postwatch Wales (see entry 'Postwatch respond to Davidson').

Prompted by Mr Pritchard's letter, Jane has written to Post Office Ltd clarifying her concerns and requesting they reconsider their decision to close Llantrisant Post Office.

Below is a transcript of her letter to Steve Geraty, Network Development Manager, Post Office Ltd.

Dear Mr Geraty

Re: Llantrisant Post Office Closure

I have recently received a letter from Eifion Pritchard, Chairman of Postwatch Wales, in response to my letter of 21st January. I enclose copies of these letters for your attention.

I note that Mr Pritchard’s letter states that Post Office Ltd has agreed to:

“Write to local authority and bus company to seek the movement of one of the bus stops to a safer area and also to provide a shelter at the bus stop.
“Liaise with the subpostmaster at the nearest branch in connection with the installation of a ‘combi’ till on the retail side of the business
“To scope possible alternative businesses in the area where stamps can be sold.”

As a result of these undertakings I understand that Postwatch Wales decided that it would no longer continue with its review process. However, I submit that the steps outlined above fall short of adequately dealing with the concerns of those who use Llantrisant Post Office.

The issue of the topography of Llantrisant has been largely ignored by these suggestions. Post office users will still have to negotiate a steep hill if they wish to access a post office on foot, a situation which means that many of Llantrisant’s residents will be unable to access services without use of public transport or cars.

Furthermore, even if a bus stop were relocated (which is by no means a certainty) the cost of the journey would be an additional expense which many may find unaffordable. Although those over 60 years of age should receive free transportation by bus, their trips to the post office will take substantially longer than at present, and may still prove extremely difficult for those people with mobility difficulties.

It is also clear that the issue of parking at the suggested alternative post offices, and at Talbot Green in particular, remains unresolved. I am often contacted by constituents concerned about the extremely high levels of traffic and parking difficulties within Talbot Green, a situation which the closure of Llantrisant Post Office will surely worsen.

Further, although Postwatch’s letter makes reference to a desire to move Llantrisant’s bus stops to a safer area, there remain concerns regarding the position of the bus stop nearest Southgate Post Office. Local councillors inform me that even if the bus stop in Llantrisant were relocated there would still be a tortuous route to the Southgate Post Office when passengers alight, a situation that appears to have been ignored by Post Office Ltd.

Finally, there is no indication that any of the proposed third parties (the local authorities, the bus companies, other sub-postmasters and other local businesses) would be willing or able to carry out the measures suggested by Post Office Ltd. I should be most grateful to hear whether you have received any feedback from any of the parties concerned.

In view of the above, plus the information contained in my previous letters, I again ask that you reconsider your decision to close Llantrisant Post Office, as it is clear that there remain many extremely worrying questions.

I look forward to receiving your full response.

Yours sincerely

Jane Davidson
Assembly Member for Pontypridd