MEP HITS OUT AT LIST OF SHROPSHIRE POST OFFICES BEING CONSIDERED FOR CLOSURE

9.25.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 2nd Apr 2008

Local Euro-MP Liz Lynne has reacted to the release today of the list of 28 Shropshire post offices earmarked for consultation on closure. The consultation programme is part of the government's wider post office closures plan and could see many on the Shropshire list closed along with up to 2500 nationwide.

Liz Lynne, who has campaigned against the closures across the region, said:

"The closing of local services anywhere will inconvenience people but the removal of post offices from a sparsely-populated county like Shropshire could literally be the death knell for some communities.

"Many Shropshire post offices are in rural areas and the majority of those are also combined with the village shop. Without the post office counter to keep them going, these shops may also be forced to close, many of which provide vital goods and services for people on low incomes.

"Local people must make sure their voice is heard and sign petitions where possible. There is an alternative to these closures and the Liberal Democrats have a fully-costed plan which would revive the post office network.

"This news is particularly grim for those communities in Shropshire facing recent attempts by the county council to close down many smaller schools."

On the claim sometimes made that the EU is behind the closures, Liz added:

"Some politicians would have you believe this is all the EU's fault, but I assure you it is not so; the closure programme comes directly from UK government decisions to remove services from post office counters and the resultant fall in customers."