Bolton MP steps up fight to save Post Office

6:20pm Friday 27th June 2008

A BOLTON MP has stepped up the fight to save a threatened post office.

Dr Brian Iddon, who represents Bolton South-east, was at Morris Green post office yesterday.

It is one of seven branches in Bolton facing the axe as part of cost-cutting measures announced by Post Office Limited on June 10.

The move is part of proposals to reduce the number of branches across the UK by up to 2,500.

Dr Iddon is urging people to get involved in the consultation about the proposed closure of the branch in Morris Green Lane, ahead of him meeting with Post Office Limited next month.

He said: "It is good if people can sign the petition in the branch but I cannot stress enough the importance of letters.

"People should write to the consulation team or me.

"They give me more power to argue the case with the Post Office."

Faruk Patel, postmaster at Morris Green post office, said: "I am very disappointed they want to close us.

"We have invested a lot of time and money to provide a shop as well as post office.

"We are useful for the community and 40 per cent of our customers are elderly."

Customers spoke of their upset at the proposed closure of the branch.

Irene Clowes, aged 62, of Slack Fold Lane, Morris Green, travels to the branch every day on her mobility scooter as she has arthritis.

She said: "I've been coming here 30 years and I'll be devastated if it closes.

"I can't travel far so will struggle to get to another one."

Emily Hampson, aged 83, of Holmeswood Road, Great Lever, also uses a mobility scooter to go to the branch every week She said: "It's disgusted and I feel terrible, I don't know what I'll do if it goes."

Moses Gate post office, which is also in Dr Iddon's constituency, is also facing the axe and he wants people to write to him about this branch too.

The other post offices affected are in Astley Bridge, Tonge Moor, Westhoughton and Heaton.

The public consultation on the proposals will end on July 21.

People can write to Richard Lynds, National Consultation Team, Freepost Consulatation Team, email consultation@postoffice.co.uk or contact 08457 223344 or MP Brian Iddon, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA