Money Hill Parade Post Office could close
June 17th 2008

The Post Office Ltd has begun a six week public consultation period into the potential closure of branches within its Area Plan for South Essex, South Herts and Bucks. Within the plan it has listed the closure of 41 existing branches in this area, which include Moneyhill Parade.

According to the proposals by the post office more than 99.5% of the area’s population will either see no change to their nearest branch, or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

To obtain a copy of the Area plan proposal click here alternatively write to Post Office Ltd at Freepost Consultation (no stamp required) or email consultation@postoffice.co.uk.

The Post Office Ltd is now seeking views on the proposed future service provision in the area including in particular views on access to Post Office® services, the accessibility of alternative branches to those proposed for closure and the appropriate form of outreach service to be provided. Consultation is due to end on July 28 2008.

Gary Herbert, Post Office Ltd’s Network Development Manager for South Essex, South Herts and Bucks said: "Taking the decision to close any Post Office® Branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers. We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on or has any concern with Post Office® services is both fully aware of the proposed changes, and able to give views on them.

"Post Office Ltd’s aim is to continue to provide essential services and support retail businesses and the local economy in as many communities as possible, subject to the minimum access criteria set by the Government. We are pleased to have been able to maintain 20 rural branches that support the only essential retailer in the community and 32 rural branches that provided the only access to cash in a particular community.

"We believe these proposals offer the best prospect for a sustainable way forward for Post Office® services in South Essex, South Herts and Bucks bearing in mind the minimum access criteria and the other factors to which we have to have regard."

Are you concerned about the closure, we would like to hear residents views on the matter? Rickmansworth Web would like to hear your views on the potential closure of Money Hill before the consultation period ends, please e-mail the team at moneyhillpo@rickmansworthweb.co.uk