Post Office closing 11 branches

The Post Office had planed to close 13 post offices in mid Wales

The Post Office is to close 11 branches in mid Wales following a six-week public consultation process.

Two post offices in Pendre, near Brecon, and Tremont Road in Llandrindod Wells which were originally proposed for closure will remain open.

However, Post Office Limited said it now planned to shut a branch in Penparc, near Cardigan, instead.

The first closures start next month, while a further 16 areas will be replaced with outreach service points.

The Post Office claimed 99% of local people would see no change, and its services would continue to be provided through a network of 154 branches.

But it explained the decision to close some of its branches had been difficult.

CLOSURE LIST Llandrindod Wells: Ridgebourne, Grosvenor Road Brecon: Westend Service Station, Church Street, Llanfaes Presteigne: Evenjobb Blaenannerch: Mobile service by BT telephone box, A487 Llandysul: Glynarthen Lampeter: Abermeurig mobile service Lampeter: Talsarn mobile service, B4337 Main Road Swansea Valley: Cwmgiedd, 50-52 Heol Giedd, Ystradgynlais Newtown 4 Oakfield Terrace, Llanidloes Road Newtown: Garth Owen Aberystwyth: Llanfarian

Steve Geraty of Post Office Limited in Wales said: "These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly.

"We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation and we believe that the amended plan announced today offers our customers across the central Wales area the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future."

Brecon and Radnorshire's Liberal Democrat MP Roger Williams and AM Kirsty Williams said they deeply regretted the closures.

Mr Williams said: "The closure of so many valued local post offices is a bitter blow to those communities, many of which are already suffering from a lack of accessible public services."

Ms Williams added: "Today's announcement by Post Office Ltd proves that if we do not use them, we will lose them.

"That is why Roger and I are calling on as many people as possible to sign the Federation of Sub-Postmasters' Save the Post Office Card Account postcards."

Meanwhile, there will be mobile outreach services in the small communities of Erwood, Gladestry, Llandefaelogfach, Merthyr Cynog, Pantydwr, Dihewyd, Talgarreg, Abermule and Sarn, said the Post Office.

'Strong feedback'

New "partner services" with shops and other outlets will be established in Pontrhydfendigaid, Talybont, Devil's Bridge and Carno.

But there will be a further review of branches at Castle Caereinion, Llyswen, Llanwrtyd Wells, Llanbrynmair, Llanddewi Brefi, Llangeitho, Llanilar and Pontsian.

Elsewhere, the Post Office said alternative solutions would be found for outreach services at Berriew, Trefeglwys and Llanbister.

Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate in Montgomeryshire, Glyn Davies, said: "I'm really pleased that a partner arrangement has been agreed in my local village of Berriew.

"But (I'm) disappointed about Garth Owen (in Newtown). I thought there was a good case for saving it."

In south and south west Wales the Royal Mail is consulting the public on plans to close 40 post offices across the two regions and replace a further 19 with an outreach service.

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