PM urged to help save post office

The post offices could be replaced with a mobile service

Gordon Brown has been urged to help save closure-threatened post offices in Kinross-shire.

Local councillors Mike Barnacle and Willie Robertson have written to the prime minister about the situation in Kinnesswood and Crook of Devon.

A consultation is under way on shutting the branches and replacing them with a mobile service.

A post office van would operate in Kinnesswood for five hours a week and in Crook of Devon for eight hours.

Mr Robertson said he was concerned about what would happen to the rural community if it lost the two post offices.

The proposed closure of the post office is a direct threat to many of our elderly residents Trudy Duffy-Wigman Fossoway and District Community Council

He added: "Kinross-shire's a thriving county and there are a lot of businesses who depend on those post offices as well as local people.

"The reason we wrote to Gordon Brown in particular is that his constituency neighbours our constituency, so he knows the area pretty well.

"I thought it was important that before a decision was taken that we'll all regret in the future that he casts an eye over it."

A public meeting was due to be held in Crook of Devon on Tuesday evening to discuss the closures.

Trudy Duffy-Wigman, from Fossoway and District Community Council, said: "The proposed closure of the post office is a direct threat to many of our elderly residents and non-drivers.

"We need to build sustainable communities for the future and easy access to essential services is a huge part of that."

Local resident Sharon English added: "Many of us do not have access to cars during the day.

"To access the nearest post office, I would face a trip lasting over one and a half hours and spend nearly five pounds on bus fares. Other villages only have buses two days a week."

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