Post Office reps quizzed at heated meeting (From This is The West Country)

Post Office reps quizzed at Bridgwater meeting last night (August 29)

10:29am Thursday 30th August 2012 in Somerset By Kirsty James

POST Office reps received a grilling at a meeting last night (August 29) when people spoke passionately against a proposal to move Bridgwater’s post office to Sainsbury’s.

Bridgwater Mayor Graham Granter and Town Clerk Alan Hurford sat alongside Post Office Regional Network Manager Tony Jones and Post Office stakeholder manager Laura Tarling at the Town Council meeting in Trinity Hall.

The Town Council made it clear they are against the proposal to set up a permanent post office at The Clink, with Councillor Granter adding: “All action that can be taken to oppose this outcome must be pursued.”

The Post Office defended its decision to look at Sainsbury’s as an option over the other applicant, Hooks, suggesting the supermarket was a more sustainable business, offering longer opening hours.

But the Bridgwater audience disagreed, voicing concerns over road safety, routes into The Clink, parking, transport and access issues surrounding the proposal.

Both the Post Office and the Town Council urged people to take part in the consultation to ensure their views are recorded to be considered before the Post Office makes a decision.

When quizzed on whether the consultation results would make a difference to the final outcome, Mr Jones said previous proposals had been changed as a result of feedback from the public and that no decision would be made until consultation responses had been studied.

Comments can only be considered through submissions made to Post Office Ltd, c/o National Consultation Team, PO Box 1138, ST ALBANS AL1 9UN, via email to consultation@postoffice.co.uk, via the Customer Helpline 08457 22 33 44 or Textphone 08457 22 33 55. The consultation closes on September 5 2012.