Up to 16 POs face closure

As many as 16 post offices in Shropshire could be earmarked for closure when the hit-list is officially published next week, reports our London Editor John Hipwood.

The Shropshire Star has learned that the closure programme will be spread across the county, but will particularly affect rural villages where the post office is often the centre of community life.

The Government has said that plans to close up to 1,500 offices will go ahead and last week ministers rejected a Conservative appeal in the Commons for the programme to be suspended.

However, Post Office minister Pat McFadden has said that individual closures will be subject to consultation, and Shropshire's Tory MPs pledged today they would fight plans "tooth and nail".

All five county MPs are being briefed on the proposals before the official announcement is made by the Post Office next Tuesday. Ironically, the hardest hit area is likely to be south Shropshire, whose MP Philip Dunne is secretary of the all-party post offices group in Parliament.

Mr Dunne refused to comment before the official announcement other than to say: "I am fearful that rural areas will bear the brunt."

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard said: "If it is true that 16 post offices are to close, it will be another body blow to Shropshire. I will fight these closures all the way."

Owen Paterson said: "I am very hostile to any closures."

Shrewsbury & Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski said: "I am deeply shocked and appalled if the closures mentioned to me are accurate."

Labour MP David Wright said: "I shall look at the details of the closure programme, and if any are to be shut in Telford, I shall work with the community to make the case for post offices."

It was also revealed today that Shropshire County Council leaders will be meeting with Post Office managers next Thursday to discuss closure plans.

Council leader Malcolm Pate and cabinet member for economy, John Hurst-Knight, will be attending along with councillors whose areas contain threatened branches.

By John Hipwood

Picture: Dany Lawson/PA Wire