Accuracy of Post Office Consultation Documents Challenged

3.21.00pm GMT Wed 26th Mar 2008

Today, the Post Office has published details of branches identified for closure in Norfolk with a six week public consultation also launched. The documentation for the consultations can be found on the Post Office website as of this morning, but some details have already come in for criticism.

Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South, is warning that the accuracy of the Post Office's supporting documents need scrutiny from local people:

"I have already contacted Post Office Ltd with my concerns over the accuracy of the documents relating to the Norwich branches identified for closure."

"In relation to the Vauxhall Street branch, which is on the closure list, one glaring error has been made. Post Office Ltd say in their document that there is no access to an ATM from the branch, but as thousands of customers know there is in fact an ATM installed on the outside wall of the post office!"

"I'm also not satisfied that the car parking situation is clearly communicated in the documents. As they stand, Vauxhall Street, Rosary Road, and the Castle Mall all seem to be put on an even standing with regard to parking and access by car. But the Castle Mall is in reality much weaker in this respect - it is so easy to pull up by car to the Vauxhall Street and Rosary Road branches, with spaces directly outside both branches. For people with mobility problems, or customers with large, heavy or bulky packages this is an important consideration."

"It is really important that local people who know their post offices check the documents on which this consultation is based. I would urge anyone concerned about a local branch closure to do this and also to respond to the consultation process."

The documents referred to by Mr Wright are the 'Branch Access Reports' available at <http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content1;jsessionid=NOCQVS2TDLFGKFB2IGVUQEQUHRA0UQ2K?catId=57600693&mediaId=57600697>

Simon Wright's response to Post Office Ltd:

"Errors relating to Branch Access Report: Norfolk and West Suffolk

I wanted to bring to your attention some problems with the Branch Access Report relating to two of the Norwich branches identified for closure.

VAUXHALL STREET branch, Norwich:

'Proximity to ATM' - report states 'None', but this is not true. There is a very well used ATM located in the outside wall of this branch.

'Parking at branch' - report states 'nearby', but there are actually a number of spaces directly outside of the branch. This is an important consideration, and one that is made clear in other branches not identified for closure.

ROSARY ROAD, Norwich:

'Parking at branch' - same observation, there are spaces directly outside of the branch.

In both cases, the availability of car parking outside the stores is very important. The main Crown Office in Castle Meadow, which is suggested as an Alternative branch in both cases, actually cannot match the other two on car parking as the branch is in the middle of a busy, enclosed shopping mall with parking available only as part of a multi-storey car park which requires then significantly more foot travel from car to branch: this is an important consideration for some post office users with mobility problems, transporting large parcels etc. However, the report inaccurately suggests that all three branches referred to in this email are on an equal footing in terms of car parking facilities.

I look forward to your response on these points and I hope the branch access report can be amended accordingly.

Simon Wright

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South"