Andrew Turner the Island’s MP has reacted angrily today after it was announced today that the closure of 10 branches on the Isle of Wight would go ahead. Mr Turner who worked with the Rural Community Council and the Chamber of Commerce to put together a detailed response to the consultation on the closures disclosed that he had not even received a response to their letter and claimed that the Post Office had also effectively ignored representations made by Postwatch the organisation set up to protect the interests of Post Office customers.

Mr Turner said;
“I am very angry that the Post Office seems to have ignored all representations and I have asked them to provide a full response this morning to the issues that have been raised. If I fail to get satisfactory answers I shall take the matter up once again with Ministers. This supposed public consultation is a complete sham; the outcome was clearly decided before it was even started.”

Michael Bulpitt Chief Executive of the RCC also expressed his dismay at the announcement;
“I am very disappointed that despite all the work we have put in and the support of Postwatch the Post Office have decided to ignore the points raised and go ahead with these closures. Post offices are at the heart of our rural communities and bureaucrats in London appear to have little understanding of how heavily many people rely on them."

The Post Office plan to close around 20% of branches across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as part of a closure programme of 2,500 branches across the country.

END Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808: IW Rural Community Council : 01983 524058 : Postwatch : Gary Hepburn 01305 772388