Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell and MSP Oliver Mundell have stepped up their campaign to have vital replacement Post Office counter services put in place following a decision by SPAR to close the Post Office branches in Thornhill, Eastriggs, Gretna and Georgetown in August and September.
Having met this week with senior management from the Post Office to press the case for replacement services, the two constituency representatives, have issued a joint-statement.
It reads: “The decision by SPAR / C J Lang to close these Post Offices has come as a serious blow to the communities set to be affected and it cannot be the case that they are simply left without postal services.
“The position taken by C. J. Lang is that with pressures on their industry, they have to reflect changing consumer habits. That’s as may be, but local people, and in particular older people and businesses who rely on easily accessible postal service, must not be marginalised as a result.
“We have a completely open mind about the exact form the replacement services might take, and they could be provided either through other interested local businesses or through a community initiative, but we are clear that they must be provided.
“That’s why we felt it so important to meet and put our case direct to the Post Office and to press them to take responsibility and put in place permanent replacement solutions for those branches that close. And it’s also why we will continue to pursue this matter vigorously to help ensure the continuation of lifeline postal services in Thornhill, Eastriggs, Gretna and Georgetown.”
Meanwhile, at Westminster, David Mundell made separate representations on Monday to UK Post Office Minister Paul Scully in a bid to further raise awareness of the issue and to make sure the strength of feeling within the affected communities is communicated to the Post Office at top level.