Fight continues (From Stourbridge News)

Fight continues

9:44am Friday 7th November 2008 in Local By Bev Holder

DETERMINED residents and traders in Quarry Bank say they will continue the fight to save their much-needed post office despite confirmation it is to close.

The Post Office Ltd confirmed their worst fears last Wednesday (October 29) that Quarry Bank's popular community post office is to be axed as part of a nationwide cost-cutting programme designed to keep the struggling service afloat.

But campaigners say they will appeal to the Post Office Ltd and watchdog group Post Watch over the decision which they say was based on flawed information and figures.

Brian Genner, chairman of the Friends of the Library and Community Services of Quarry Bank group, told the News: "It's an unacceptable decision based on a deeply innacurate assessment."

The Post Office claims all information provided by post office users during the consultation period helped bosses to reach their "difficult decisions".

But Mr Genner believes the Post Office failed to fully consider Quarry Bank's location, manufacturing presence, population and the impracticalities of parking at nearby Merry Hill - where one of the nearest alternative branches is located.

He added: "If a branch has to close, instead of finishing up with two main post offices in Brierley Hill - at Merry Hill and the Moor Centre, one of those should close."

Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho is also continuing to back the campaigners and said: "I am committed to retaining Post Office services in Quarry Bank and I am convinced that Post Office Limited have failed to follow their own guidelines and criteria in considering our appeal."

She said she would also be writing to Dudley Council to see if the council can take on responsibility for postal services in Quarry Bank in the same way that Essex County Council has stepped in to save doomed post offices following branch closures in the county.

The county council has become the first local authority in the country to set aside cash to re-open axed branches.