DAVID HEATH URGES GOVERNMENT TO RECONSIDER POST OFFICE CLOSURES

10.53.00am GMT Thu 28th Feb 2008

David Heath, MP for Somerton and Frome, has tabled Early Day Motion 1036 "POST OFFICE CLOSURES IN SOMERSET", calling on the Government and the Post Office to re-consider the planned closure of 30 post offices in Somerset.

The motion calls for the Government to re-consider the closures of Post Offices serving the villages of Barwick, Bason Bridge, Bayford, Bicknoller, Bower Hinton, Bradford-on-Tone, Croscombe, Dinder, East Coker, Easton, Haselbury Plucknett, Holcombe, Keinton Mandeville, Kingsdon, Kingston St Mary, Mudford, Pylle, Sparkford, Walton, West Buckland, West Monkton, West Quantoxhead and Wookey Hole. It also calls on the Government to re-consider reduced services for the villages of Brompton Regis, Chartlon Horethorne, Churchinford, Kilve, Lard St

Lawrence, North Cadbury and Wheddon Cross.

Commenting David said:

"On Monday I submitted this motion to Parliament calling on the government to recognise the need for continued rural post office services. This is one of the many measures I have planned over the next couple weeks in Parliament and within the constituency in order that we can facilitate the maximum possible response to the consultation process.

Somerton and Frome Liberal Democrats are also supporting a petition for members of the public to sign. I hope that pressure from the public and from MP's will contribute towards many voices calling on the Government and the Post Office to urgently re-consider the planned closures.

These closures and reduced services will have a hugely detrimental effect on our rural and local communities. These plans are another onslaught on rural services that we have seen through the continual closures throughout the previous Conservative and Labour Governments.

They will risk or precipitate the closure of village shops and will continue to erode the post office network over many years."