This morning I took part in a discussion at Wark on the future of rural post offices, organised by Age Concern Northumberland, with Peter Atkinson MP as the guest speaker. Four main issues were identified:

1. Village post offices are the hub of local services, and provide a focus for communication and social interaction
2. It is important to maintain traditional services such as mail and parcel-handling, but above all the provision of cash to residents in outlying areas
3. With the onset of global warming it is particularly important to provide services close to where people live. In many rural areas public transport is sparse or non-existent, and some people are unable to drive, either for financial or health reasons
4. Communities must be sustainable. Post offices provide valuable support to local, often very small businesses, and also provide goods and information to visitors to Tynedale, where tourism is becoming increasingly important.

Consultation on the post office network closes on Thursday March 8th. Consultation forms can be obtained by going to the Department of Trade and Industry website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/consultations/page36024.html or by contacting me for a paper copy, to be returned to:

Postal Office Network Consultation
Department of Trade and Industry
Response Centre
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET.

If you would like to discuss this further or if you have suggestions or concerns, please contact me on 01434 681487 or e-mail jane.wrigley@tynedale.gov.uk.

Jane Wrigley