Post Office closure campaign builds support in Conwy Valley

Sep 4 2008 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

OVER 200 people turned up to a public meeting in Cerrigydrudion on Thursday evening to show their concern about government plans to close the village’s post office.

The meeting was chaired by MP David Jones, and representatives from Post Office Ltd and Postwatch were present, as were AMs Darren Millar and Mark Isherwood.

The meeting turned into a heated debate, with residents questioning the decision to close what they believe is the principal post office in the Hiraethog area.

Butcher Alun Jones said the village didn’t want an outreach van service to replace the existing post office.

After the meeting he said: “I stopped the meeting in its tracks saying we don’t want any kind of van service, just the existing post office.

“I also pointed out that closing the post office was another nail in the coffin for rural communities, but the outcome of the meeting was positive for Cerrigydrudion. More people are going to write with reasons not to close our post office.

“I have a thriving business, as do many other people who will ultimately be affected by the closure if it goes ahead.”

Darren Millar said he objected in the strongest possible terms to the closure plans.

“In pressing ahead with this so-called modernisation programme, which is in fact a devastating closure programme, Government ministers and Post Office executives have ignored the needs of elderly and disabled people who see post offices as a lifeline,” he said.

“It will not just make life more difficult for businesses, pensioners, disabled people and families, it has the potential to destroy many a vital local service at the very heart of rural communities.”

Post Office senior Welsh affairs manager Heulyn Gwyn Davies commented: “Post Office representatives welcomed the points made by residents who attended. All comments relating to both Cerrigydrudion and Pentrefoelas post offices will be given consideration before any decisions are made.

“In developing our proposal for Cerrigydrudion and Pentrefoelas we undertook a great deal of research from many sources and considered many factors. We value all feedback and encourage others to submit their views on our proposals before Monday, September 15.”

David Jones MP said: “This is the largest post office closure meeting to be held so far and probably the most passionate.

“Both Cerrigydrudion and Pentrefoelas post offices are to be closed and replaced with an intermittent, downgraded service. This will mean there will be no permanent post office service along the stretch of the A5 between Betws-y-Coed and Corwen.

“Cerrigydrudion post office serves a large rural area and it makes no sense at all to close it. I believe the residents of Cerrig have an excellent case for a reprieve from the closure and I urge as many people as possible to write opposing the plan.”