Post offices' closure confirmed

Sep 24 2008 by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

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FOUR Monklands post offices are to be closed down – despite efforts by residents and politicians to save them.

Post Office Ltd announced yesterday (Tuesday) that the under-threat branches at Whinhall Road, Main Street in Plains, Bank Street in Blairhill and Russell Colt Street in Sunnyside will shut their doors.

Now some elected representatives have said they hope to continue their campaign and seek a review of the decision.

The local branches are among 43 across Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Ayrshire and Inverclyde which have been axed following a six-week public consultation; the first closures will begin in November.

There was particular disappointment surrounding the closure of the Plains branch, following “massive opposition” from residents.

Airdrie North councillor Tommy Morgan, whose ward includes the village, said: “This is really disappointing news, as I and everyone else who made submissions thought we had a really strong case.

“This is the wrong decision and I hope there might be an opportunity for a review of the Post Office’s conclusions because this will have a dramatically negative effect on the community, particularly the elderly and disabled people.

“I really thought we had a strong case for keeping all four of the Monklands offices which were threatened.”

Central Scotland MSP Jamie Hepburn also condemned the Plains decision, saying: “Hundreds of people in Plains and across the region expressed their outrage at these proposals. Local Post Offices are community assets, and I am determined to work with local communities to see if there is any way we can continue this campaign.”

Coatbridge and Chryston MP Tom Clarke campaigned against the two closures in his constituency, at Blairhill and Sunnyside.

He said: “I received a small number of representations – all of them by email – which were strongly opposed to the closures because they wanted this facility to remain in their locality.

“I also met with a large number of pensioners and people with disabilities in the areas served, many of whom were already using other facilities.

“Should any of my constituents have any problems arising from this decision, I will give whatever help I can.”

Sally Buchanan, the company’s network development manager for Scotland, said: “These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly, and we have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation.”

Airdrie will now be served by its town centre branch on Buchanan Street and by seven local offices at Calderbank, Caldercruix, Chapelhall, Craigneuk, Glenmavis, Greengairs and Rawyards.

Coatbridge will have offices on Main Street, Muiryhall Street, Woodside Street and at Shawhead, Townhead and Whifflet.