A cash boost that may save the post office (From Malvern Gazette)

A cash boost that may save the post office

2:40pm Sunday 29th January 2012 in News

A CASH lifeline for rural post offices has been welcomed in Worcestershire.

The Government has pledged £1.3 billion over the next few years to halt what it says is the decline of postal outposts – often a hub of the villages where they are located.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has been campaigning for action from the Government after the loss of post office service in the villages of Kempsey and Alfrick, among others.

Postal Affairs Minister Ed Davey has now announced money, with the intention of halting the closure of rural post offices which supply services like stamps, mobile phone top-ups and foreign exchange.

The cash is specifically to get the Post Office to keep services by talking with the villages and hamlets which want them.

Mrs Baldwin said: “Constituents write to me expressing their frustration at the time it takes to get a Post Office service operational.

“I now hope with this large investment, our network can now be properly preserved for the future and to continue to offer vital services for our rural communities.

“Clearly the Post Office have some challenges ahead to ensure a continued service in some of our rural villages and I hope our local communities can work in partnership to try and find solutions.”