SLOW DEATH OF 2500 POST OFFICES MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN

9.01.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 15th Aug 2007

Liz Lynne, MEP for the West Midlands and long-time campaigner against post office closures, is urging the public not to forget the probable 225 closures across the region, and 2500 nationally, over the next 18 months.

Post Office Ltd has drawn up a review timetable clarifying when judgements will be made on the region's post offices. Once their review and proposals are presented, customers will have six weeks to respond, after which final decisions will be made.

The Staffordshire & Shropshire public consultation process will begin in March 2008, while in Herefordshire Worcestershire and the West Midlands it will start in July 2008.

Speaking today, Liz said:

"The government has said that there is no alternative to the closure programme, but we must not forget that it is the most vulnerable in society, such as those on low incomes and elderly and disabled people, who will be affected most."

"The Liberal Democrats have a £2 billion fully-funded plan which would revive the network."

"I shall be watching the review process closely across my constituency with my Liberal Democrat colleagues and continue to campaign against the closure of branches which provide a lifeline for local residents."

"There is some relief that no closures will happen in the immediate future but I implore local residents to sign petitions immediately and protest against the proposals in their area when they are presented."

We cannot escape the fact that with so many closures planned nationally, we will have to vigorously campaign to minimise the impact on the West Midlands region of what could be 225 less post offices in just over a year's time."

ENDS