LIB DEMS OPPOSE POST OFFICE CLOSURES

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 10th Oct 2007

Government plans to close 31more Post Offices, about 1 in 6, across Essex have been met with dismay by Liberal Democrats at County Hall. This is not the whole story for the county however, there will be an announcement made on closures in the south of the county next year.

Speaking about closures affecting residents in Essex, Cllr Tom Smith-Hughes, Lib Dem county leader said: "Liberal Democrats in Essex have long been on the case of the disappearing post office and now we are faced with yet another round of closures with more to follow. Our view is that we should have more post offices where they are needed - not more closures.

"Liberal Democrats are the only party with fully funded plans for retaining and investing in our post office network to bring new business to post offices and to give local customers a better deal. We believe that post offices should have a bright future.

"We are clear that post offices offer a much loved and needed public service that should be close at hand. It is not acceptable to ask the elderly, parents with children, the disabled and others, to undertake long journeys just to pick up a pension or other state benefits or send a parcel." Cllr Smith-Hughes added.