Torridge Election Issues - Post Office Closures
By Hyperlocal | Friday, April 16, 2010, 11:31
Adam Symons, the Prospective MP for Torridge and West Devon visited several communities affected by the
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Adam Symons with Keith and Ann Horwell at Shebbear Shop.
Post Office closures this week, including Shebbear, Tavistock, St. Giles-on-the
Heath, Milton Abbott and Buckland Brewer.
He saw at first hand the impact that the Government’s
network change programme has had on communities. Since the programme was rolled
out, the community shop has shut in Buckland Brewer, and significant changes
have had to be made in Shebbear, Milton Abbott and St Giles.
Speaking to the owners of the local shop in Shebbear, Keith
and Ann Horwell, Adam said: “I was here two years ago when they first announced
the closures. We were worried it was a done deal then – and we were right. The
closures have had a devastating impact on some communities, and caused real
hardship for some people living in these communities. Those with limited public
transport options such as Milton Abbott and Buckland Brewer have been
especially hit at times of bad weather.”
“I make a simple pledge to you today. We will invest in our
post office network to make them the hub of the community. No more will shut.”
Comments
At Buckland Brewer, we are trying to establish a community run shop to replace Keith's old shop which closed just over a year ago.
There is a lot of work to do in order for us to open, not least of which is obtaining funding. We need all the help we can get from both the community and our elected MP and councillors.
We'll keep you posted on how things progress. First fund raiser is likely to take place in early June. There will be a short presentation at parish council annual meeting on 26 May.
For further information or to contact us see our blog: tinyurl.com/ngpwvu
By iamadonut at 12:22 on 16/04/10
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