Lib. Dems. will continue to defend Post Offices from closure

5.21.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 26th Jul 2006

West Berks Lib Dems this week returned to their familiar stamping ground - saving local post offices from closure.

The Group, who led successful campaigns to defend the Post Offices in Thatcham's Northfield Road and at the Burdwood Centre in Station Road, have assured the public that they will campaign hard to protect local Post Offices facing the axe. Recent announcements suggest the UK might lose a significant number of Post Offices as the government considers not renewing funding for the rural network after 2008.

Jeff Brooks, Leader of West Berkshire Council's Liberal Democrats said:

"We fought hard on the Council to preserve vital community facilities in Thatcham and across West Berkshire over the last two years and will continue to do so. Lib Dems believe that important services are at stake. Many pensioners and the less mobile who rely on their neighbourhood Post Office for many of their financial services will be severely disadvantaged by this."

Alex Payton, the Liberal Democrat Councillor who forced Tesco to keep open the Northfield Road Post Office also expressed his disappointment on hearing the news:

"Post Office closures could devastate village life across West Berkshire. We will campaign hard to keep our local branches open as we have done successfully in the past."