"To jeopardise these facilities would unfairly burden the community and those who need over-the-counter services the most," writes Luke Fletcher MS.
This column was published in the Glamorgan Gazette on Thursday 28th November 2024.
Residents will be concerned by the news that Post Offices in Port Talbot and Bridgend are at risk of closure as part of the Post Office’s new transformation plans.
Following the headlines, I contacted the Post Office to seek clarification for residents. I have been informed that the Post Office are considering a number of options, including considering the future of their directly managed branches, such as those in Port Talbot and Bridgend.
This means that nothing has yet been set in stone, but we do know that serious thought is being given to the future of these branches.
These Post Offices are lifelines for people who may struggle to engage with digital banking services, including many elderly residents, many of whom find online banking difficult or unsafe. They are vital for people with disabilities who need accessible, in-person assistance, and they support local businesses and charities that depend on them for smooth operations.
To jeopardise these facilities would unfairly burden the community and those who need over-the-counter services the most.
These branches are irreplaceable community hubs. At a time when we want to breathe life into our high streets and support local businesses, losing a cornerstone service like this is a huge blow. The closure of Post Offices could drain footfall from town centres, causing a ripple effect that harms nearby shops, cafes, and services.
Post offices operate as anchors, attracting people into the towns, and losing them could mean losing another reason to visit.
That is why I have launched a petition to call on the Post Office and the Government to secure the future of these branches. I urge everyone to join me in signing it and send a clear message that we will not stand idly by while critical services are taken away from us.
The Post Office is more than a business; it is a public service. And public services must not be sacrificed in cost-cutting exercises. The people of Port Talbot and Bridgend deserve better than to be left without this essential service and important public utility.
You can find the petition on my website: www.lukefletcher.wales.
Your voice matters – let’s use it.
Please sign the petition here.
If you want to support Plaid Cymru and Luke, please click here.
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