TEN post offices in the Wrexham area are to close for good in a shakeup of services across the region.
Post Office Ltd announced it is shutting 48 branches across North Wales and replacing a further 13 with outreach services by the end of January 2009.
Facing the axe in Wrexham are:
Acton Park, Rhosnesni Lane
Bradley Glanllyn Road
Cymau, Cymau Road
Marchwiel, Wrexham Road
New Broughton, New Road
Ponciau, Bank Street
Rhos Y Medre, High Street
Rhosrobin, Dodds Lane
Summerhill, Hill Street
Tanyfron, Llwyn Ifor Stores, St Albans Road.
The Post Office in Llangollen Road, Trevor, Llangollen, will also close.
Post Office chiefs insist the decision, taken after a seven-week public consultation, was needed for a sustainable network, but locals are outraged.
Clwyd South Labour MP Martyn Jones said: “The Post Office had a fortnight to consider the heartfelt views of many of my constituents, who expressed themselves eloquently on many of the forms I reviewed. They have chosen to ignore the thoughts and feelings of local people.”
Labour AM for Clwyd South Karen Sinclair said: “For many communities across North East Wales, the focal point for local life will be lost and I regret the decisions made.”
Janet Ryder Plaid Cymru AM for North Wales said: “Management has shown no mercy, despite the vigorous community campaigns to save these services. Villages across the North will lose out.”
Wrexham Labour MP Ian Lucas said he was “saddened” adding “I am very sorry they did not agree with the case I made for each office to stay open.”
Welsh Conservative AM for North Wales, Mark Isherwood, branded it “a betrayal of the most vulnerable in our communities”.
Steve Geraty, Post Office Ltd’s network development manager for Wales, said: “These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly. We believe the amended plan offers our customers across North Wales the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future.”
All affected branches will display a poster informing their customers about the decision, with closure dates to follow.
