Post Offices Campaign
While the ‘consultation’ period has now ended for the current round of Post Office closures, I am leaving this page on the site for the time being for information - and in case we need something similar for later closure threats.
Suggestions for including in responses to the proposed closure
You can email your comments in to:
consultation@postoffice.co.uk
or write to
FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM
(This is the full address! No stamp is needed)
First it’s worth visiting the web page of Communities Against Post Office Closures - CAPOC. There is a link to this site on the sidebar.
In each case make it clear that we’re making representations about Robin Hood Post Office, 1537 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 9JA. They do not provide a named individual, a proper address or a telephone number (other than the general line for post office enquiries (‘press this, press that etc.’)). Say that you expect at least an acknowledgement. If you send a copy to me (Councillor Michael Wilkes, 38 Paradise Lane, Hall Green, B28 0DU or as Michael.Wilkes@birmingham.gov.uk) I will look out for new ideas and post them on this site for others to use in their representations.
Accuracy of information
For each branch they want to close, Post Office Ltd has produced a ‘Branch Access Report’ (BAR) running to all of one page which provides information on the threatened branch and puts forward alternatives that supposedly could be used instead. A copy of the BAR for Robin Hood id buried deep in the Post Office Website in a larger document giving all the BARs. You’ll need a magnifying glass to read it. The page for Robin Hood is downloadable from here at the end of this article. There is also a leaflet on the proposed closure that can be picked up from Robin Hood Post Office or downloaded from this site. The data provided includes opening hours; population; ease of access to the branch and bus routes. Experience suggests that a good way to react to the proposals is to focus on detail. Is the information in the BAR (e.g. opening hours, accessibility and average number of customer sessions) for the threatened branch and the ‘alternatives’ correct?
Access
Would it be hard for residents to get to other branches, especially those who are elderly, have mobility problems, don’t have a car etc.? If the route has gradients or involves crossing a number of busy roads will elderly or disabled people or mums with toddlers be able get to the alternatives? Will this make the journey too long or difficult to manage? Bus availability, frequency and reliability to the alternative branches should be adequate. The service may be infrequent or the frequency stated may only be for peak periods. Distances to the nearest bus stop need to be checked and that the bust stop is for relevant buses. The specified times may not include getting to and from bus stops which can add a lot of time to the journey. Has the parking situation near the alternatives been correctly stated? Mileage between branches needs to be checked as the BAR may not take account of one way systems, or obstacles that could make the distance further.
Services and capacity
Will the alternative branches be able to cope with the extra customers? Are they too small or already at capacity? Are the alternative post offices duplicated on the BARs for other threatened branches (if they are, this will mean that they’re likely to get new customers from other closed branches that could affect their ability to cope)? Is there a post box outside the alternatives? If the threatened PO has an ATM, do the alternatives? Are the services offered by the alternatives correctly stated?
Demographics
Does the threatened PO, in whole or in part, serve a deprived area? Demographic information may not be up to date. The groups most likely to use Post Offices and be most affected by closure are: those aged over 65; single parents; people with a disability; and carers. Residents in retirement homes, sheltered accommodation or affordable housing, should write to Post Office Ltd highlighting their problems with the alternative branches or problems getting to them. Information on sheltered accommodation, residential homes for elderly, infirm or disabled people or affordable housing schemes (that either exist or are planned) near the threatened PO should be included.
Economic impact
Will the closure of the post office have a detrimental impact on the neighbouring businesses and affect their viability (this is almost certainly true for the small parades of shops, such as here in Hall Green). The adverse impact on the small parade on Highfield Road opposite Yardley Wood station of the Highfield Road post office closure could be cited.
Regeneration / Transport plans
Are there proposed developments nearby that will result in new homes or businesses? Is the threatened PO in a local centre or regeneration zone that the Council might or should invest in? Are there transport arrangements reliable? Could the supposed alternatives be made hard to reach because of possible bus service cuts (which we’ve already had to fight in Hall Green)? Is the walking route safe or even feasible for many people?
Environment
Increased the distances that are travelled by car as a result of a Post Office closure worsens the local ‘carbon footprint’. Post Office closures can also trigger a decline in small parades which can lead to further environmental degrading by attracting graffiti etc.
Accessing the files
To download the files below, right click on the name, select ’save target as’ from the drop down list that appears and then choose the location on your computer where you want the file to be placed. The files are in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format and only require the free acrobat reader which most people will already have (it can be downloaded from Adobe’s website). Alternatively double click on the file name here to read on screen or print.
Here is the reverse side of the ‘I want to save POCA’ form (the front is the image posted on the POCA item on our main page.
