So now it’s only three miles to your ‘local’ post office

Jul 23 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

WHAT a surprise.

After six weeks of public consultation the Post Office has decided that eight branches in north Kirklees are to close.

Of the post offices originally earmarked for closure only one, Savile Town, has been reprieved. And that small victory for local people comes with the rather large caveat that the neighbouring branch in Thornhill Edge looks like it’s going to get the chop instead.

So that was a good consultation then.

Presumably all the residents who were asked about the closure plans told the Post Office that they were fed up having a public service on their doorsteps and rather fancied a three-mile drive to their new “local” branch. It was good of the Post Office to oblige.

There’s bad news across West Yorkshire, with 61 branches due to shut their doors next month.

But why has the Examiner not reported which post offices in Huddersfield and the valleys will be axed?

Has the paper’s local government hack been asleep at his desk again?

Well, no. Closures in Huddersfield and the Valleys will be announced next month, followed of course by a six-week consultation, to which I’m sure you’re all looking forward.

For some reason Post Office Ltd has decided that Huddersfield and the valleys should be included in South Yorkshire for the purposes of the nationwide closure schedule.

That kind of grasp of Yorkshire’s geography does not bode well.

Get ready for a long walk to buy a stamp.