People of Llandudno unite against post office closure

Aug 21 2008 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

LLANDUDNO’S mayor is to call a special meeting to discuss the threat to Llandudno’s Alexandra Road post office, which is earmarked for closure.

Cllr Billy Evans has been urged to ask the town council to prepare a formal submission lobbying Royal Mail to drop the proposal because of the inconvenience it will cause to residents, many of whom are elderly or infirm and do not have their own transport.

He is also to open talks with Conwy County Council to consider using the post office as an outpost for council services.

Cllr Evans organised a public meeting on Tuesday at the Trinity Centre attended by around 30 people who were adamant the post office should stay open.

Mum-of-three Annejennette Stephenson of Cae Mawr said Royal Mail had not taken into consideration the needs of the elderly, disabled or families with young children.

“The next nearest post office is half a mile away along a very busy road,” she said. “Some people can’t walk that far and the problem is that because of weight restrictions on Maesdu Bridge buses on the route are small and don’t have facilities for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

“I’m going to gather photographic evidence of how difficult it is to make the journey if you have very young children or are disabled.”

Janet Davies, who is disabled, said: “I don’t think Royal Mail has thought about this properly. Someone from Royal Mail should come here and tell us why it wants to close the post office.”

Pensioner Frank Bradfield urged people to write letters of objection and send copies to MP Betty Williams.

“The Post Office is trying to streamline and centralise services without thought for the public and I think we should ask our MP to fight for us on this,” he said.

Ward councillor Alun Barrett has started a petition but also urged the need for individual letters and e-mails.

“We must bombard Royal Mail so it realises the strength of feeling against this. The post office at Costcutter on the West Shore is too far for many people to go because they don’t have transport. If you have a car it’s difficult to park there, and there’s nowhere to park close to the main post office in Vaughan Street,” he said.

Cllr Janet Haworth believes a formal submission from the town council is essential. “I also believe we should work hand in hand with the county council to adopt a model used successfully in Essex where the council uses sub-post offices as places where people can access services.”