28 county post offices on hit-list

Twenty eight post office branches and mobile services across Shropshire face the axe in a hit-list of closures revealed today.

The south of the county bears the brunt with 14 of the proposed closures announced by Post Office Ltd as part of national cash-saving programme.

See also - Don't blame us, says Brown

But services are also under threat in Shrewsbury, Telford & Wrekin, north Shropshire and the Oswestry area.

Protests have already been staged outside some branches and petitions have been launched amid warnings that communities will be devastated.

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne said he was appalled that half of the proposed closures were in his constituency, adding: "Our remote village communities seem to have been singled out for this further body blow to sustaining village life."

Shropshire County Council today repeated its pledge to to do all it can to safeguard facilities.

Councillor John Hurst-Knight, cabinet member for waste and economy, said: "We are naturally upset by any potential closures and will do everything we can to support communities affected."

He added: "Officers are working on an impact analysis to see how these potential closures will affect Shropshire residents and we will respond accordingly to the Post Office as soon as possible."

Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, was visiting all five of the listed post offices in the Shrewsbury area today.

He said at the Greenfields branch: "If an ordinary business is not making a profit it is difficult sometimes for the state to intervene. But if the business is providing a vital service like post offices it is important taxpayers' money is used to support them because of the massive service they provide for people."

Mohamed and Rubbina Shaheen have run the Greenfields Post Office for 18 months, putting in an estimated £80,000 of the family's money into the business.

Mr Shaheen said: "It came as a surprise to us and we were both appalled and devastated by the news."

At Randlay post office in Telford, Conservative parliamentary spokesman Tom Biggins said: "This is one of the busiest post offices in Telford. People frequently have to queue, even on a Saturday."

Nationally the Post Office has plans to close about 1,500 branches. A six-week public consultation is being held.

Branches facing axe:

All Stretton, Church Stretton; Aston On Clun, Clun Road, Aston On Clun; Sunner Stores, Church Aston; Coton Service Station, Coton, Whitchurch; Ditherington, Shrewsbury; East Hamlet, Ludlow and Greenfields, Shrewsbury.

Harmer Hill, Wem Road, Harmer Hill; Hilton, near Bridgnorth; Knowbury, New Pitts Cottage, Knowbury, Ludlow; Lydbury North, 61 Lydbury North; Morda, The Post Office, Oswestry; Park Corner, 1-3 King Street, Wellington, Telford; Randlay, Unit 1 Local Centre, Randley, Telford; Standford Service Station, Sambrook, Newport and The Hobbins, Bridgnorth.

The following Post Office branches are proposed for replacement by an outreach solution:

Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury; Cressage, near Shrewsbury; Hadnall, near Shrewsbury; Marton, near Welshpool; Montford Bridge, near Shrewsbury; Munslow, Aston Munslow Garage, Munslow, Craven Arms; Norton, The Old School, Village Road, Norton, Shifnal; Quatt, Bridgnorth; Snailbeach, Shrewsbury; Wentnor, The Shop, 2 Rock Close, Wentnor Bishop's Castle; West Felton,The Cross, West Felton, Oswestry and Worthen, near Shrewsbury.

By Dave Morris

On the hit-list: Greenfields Post Office on Wood Street, Shrewsbury; from left,

Councillor Stephen Williams, Daniel Kawczynski MP, Postmistress Rubbina Shaleen

and Councillor Dr Maxwell Winchester.

On the hit-list: Sub Post Master Tony Haller from Coton Post Office.

On the hit-list: Randlay Post Office, earmarked for closure.nextpage

On the hit-list: Sunner Stores and Post Office in Church Aston.

On the hit-list: Hadnall village store, which incorporates Hadnall Post Office.

On the hit-list: East Hamlet Post Office, Ludlow.