Disappointment voiced at Post Office closures

Hertsmere Borough Council is disappointed with the news that the Post Office has decided to shut all three of the branches they were proposing to close in the borough.

Post offices in Elstree, Bushey Hall Road and Little Heath in Potters Bar will now close following a six-week consultation period which ended at the end of July.
 
The news came yesterday when the Post Office announced their Network Change Programme decisions for South Herts, South Essex and Buckinghamshire which sees 37 branches being closed.  Four branches that were proposed for closure will be kept open and as a result the Post Office are proposing to close a further two branches in the area, one of which is Moatfield Post Office in Harcourt Road Bushey.  A six-week public consultation on this branch is expected to start shortly.
 
Leader of the Council, Morris Bright said: "I am disappointed that the Post Office have not listened to us and very concerned that on top of these three closures, they are proposing to close another branch in Bushey.
 
"We objected to all three of the branches being closed in Hertsmere because of the effect it would have on the local communities involved.  Post offices don't only provide residents with a postal service, they also facilitate vital community interaction.
 
"The council is extremely concerned about the detrimental effect these closures will have on all members of the community, especially those who are older and more vulnerable.
 
"We will be voicing a strong objection to the proposed closure of Moatfield Post Office in Bushey and can only hope that this time the Post Office will listen.  It wasn't in the original proposals and seems to have been put forward for closure now because other branches outside of Hertsmere are staying open.  This appears to be about money not fairness or common sense."