Heathfield MP, Huw Merriman, has announced that he will be raising the town’s ongoing Post Office closure at the highest level.
Heathfield Post Office which closed on 1 April has left the town’s 11,500 residents without vital Post Office services for over two months. Following Huw’s discussions with the Post Office and Wealden District Council it has now become apparent that even a temporary porta cabin solution could be three months away due to internal Post Office procedures and statutory consultation periods.
Huw is very concerned about the Post Office’s inability to fast track a solution to unexpected branch closures and will be raising this with the Chief Executive of the Post Office and, if necessary, Government Ministers.
Speaking in Heathfield, Huw said: “Since I was elected, I have been working with County Councillor Rupert Simmons to press the Post Office to come up with a temporary Post Office facility for Heathfield residents whilst a permanent location is found. This week it has become clear that even this could take up to three months to sort out.
I find this completely unacceptable and I am extremely concerned about the elderly and vulnerable in our community who do not have transport to get to alternative Post Offices. The Post Office really needs to be have contingency plans that can be rolled out to communities where Post Offices close without adequate notice. I will be writing to the Chief Executive of the Post Office, and if necessary Government Ministers to highlight the experience in Heathfield as this could happen in another village or town. In the meantime I will keep pressing for a faster solution for Heathfield residents.”