THERE has been fighting talk, mixed with jubilation, among politicians, councillors and residents over the proposed post office closures.

As revealed in your Worcester News yesterday, 11 post offices across the county look set to be axed following a six-week consultation. It is part of a national programme to reduce the number of post offices.

In the Worcester area, concerns have been raised over the proposed closure of Rushwick Post Office.

Sir Michael Spicer, MP for West Worcestershire, said: “I will contest with particular emphasis the proposal to close Rushwick.”

He feels attention should be given to plans to build new homes to the west of Worcester and said a part-time supported service should be offered.

Bilford Road Post Office in Astwood, Worcester, is also earmarked for closure.

On your Worcester News website, worcesternews.co.uk, Logik, of Worcester, wrote: “It’s not just residents affected by the closure, a lot of people from around the city also use this post office to tax their vehicles, the only sub post office that is able to do so.”

In the Evesham area, five post offices look set to be closed: Church Lench, Cleve Prior, Wickhamford, Pinvin and Bengeworth.

MP for Mid Worcestershire, Peter Luff, said he was concerned about the heavy concentration of planned closures in the area.

However, in Callow End, Tom Wells, Liberal Democrat councillor for Powick, is celebrating after discovering the post office will move from The Blue Bell Inn to the village shop, instead of being closed.

“I am delighted, it is fantastic news,” he said.

Despite the concerns, Post Office Limited said 91.7 per cent of Worcestershire’s population would see no change at all to their nearest branch.

Mark Partington, Post Office Ltd’s network development manager for Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands, said: “Post Office Ltd’s aim is to continue to provide essential services and support retail businesses and the local economy in as many communities as possible, subject to the minimum access criteria set by the Government.”

This criteria states 99 per cent of the population should be within three miles and 90 per cent of the population to be within one mile of their nearest post office.

They want to hear from post office users who may have concerns about the proposals. To express your views, write to Mark Partington, Network Development Manager, c/o National consultation team, Freepost consultation team.