Julian Sturdy

The Government has ordered the Post Office to close more than 2,500 branches across the country as part of a national review, in addition to the 4,000 post offices already closed since 1999. They are conducting the review in tranche’s across the Country and today it is the turn of North Yorkshire to hear its fate. Actually the York Press broke the story on Saturday however Tuesday the 27th of November is the day that the 50 post offices due for closure across our region (Yes 50) are officially announced. In the City of York four post offices have been ear marked for closure Clifton, Haxby Road, Micklegate and Fulford.     

I have to say I am appalled at these announced closures, there has sadly been a gradual erosion of the sub-post office network and the Government is ignoring the vital social role they play in our local communities. The truth is that the Government has pulled business out of the Post Office network and undermined its finances. It doesn?t seem to understand the social value of Post Offices to our communities, particularly the disabled, the elderly, those on low incomes, without transport and those in rural areas. We need to protect and support our local post offices as they provide a vital service to our communities, especially in the villages surrounding York. By reducing the services they provide, the Government is making it incredibly difficult for postmasters to make a living, putting vital community services under threat and ripping the heart out of village life.

It is vital that we respond strongly and in numbers to show the strength of public anger and frustration at these latest proposals. There will now be a standard six week consultation period closing on the 17th January (Extended due to the Christmas break by 10 days). This is our opportunity to convince the Government that our post offices must be saved. More information can be found at Post Watch or at your individual post office.  

I visited Fullford post office which has been earmarked for closure yesterday morning, and saw first hand the steady stream of people using this vital community facility, and speaking to local residents they told me how outraged they were about the proposed closure. 

I will be campaigning to keep Fulford post office open, as well as the other post offices earmarked for closure across York. The York Press are running a campaign that I am supporting, fighting the closures across North Yorkshire. Link to the petition.