Services
News release
Disappointment over Post Office closures
West Lothian Council is voicing disappointment over the threatened closure of three village post offices.
The council has now been advised that three local outlets have been earmarked to close ? Breich, Newton and Polbeth.
" This is obviously most disappointing news," said Executive councillor for development and transport Martyn Day.
" It is a particular setback for three isolated communities, who face the worrying prospect of losing their local post office services.
" If this closure threat is implemented it will have a big impact on all three villages and it will be a major blow for vulnerable people who value having a local post office."
Councillor Day added: " Our own council officers have put in a lot of hard work over this issue of post office services. Thanks to their efforts West Lothian does not appear to have suffered as badly as some other areas.
" However, the council is opposed to any post office closures in West Lothian and we will be seeking a meeting with the Post Office during the consultation period to put forward a strong case for retaining the three outlets now under threat."
Councillor Greg McCarra, who chairs Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley Local Area Committee, commented: " These are areas of high deprivation where the communities have suffered enough without this further reduction in service.
" There is low car ownership in the ward and people would be forced to use the bus to travel elsewhere to access post office services. I will be liaising with the community councils to try to oppose this move."
Date: 19-08-2008
