A north Derbyshire MP says she supports Post Office closure plans — but is backing campaigns to save two threatened branches in her patch.
Natascha Engel said closures needed to take place so that the Post Office network could survive and continue its service to the most vulnerable people in society.
But she said branches in Marsh Lane and Hepthorne Lane – among 15 across North Der
byshire named in the latest wave of proposed closures – should stay open.
Ms Engel said: "Losing these branches would have a massive impact, particularly on pensioners and vulnerable people. It would take a huge effort for them to get to another post office."
But she said it would be difficult to make a case for keeping open the other eight threatened with closure in her patch, adding: "A post office closure is always horrible because it's part of the community, but there are others very nearby."
Meanwhile, Chesterfield MP Paul Holmes is leafleting homes for the second time urging residents to write to the Post Office with their objections to seven branch closures in Chesterfield and Staveley.
He said: "In other parts of the country, some post offices slated for closure have been saved where a strong case has been made."
Branches under threat are in:
Brimington Common
Hollingwood
Lowgates
Hady
New Brampton
Stonegravels
Newbold Road
Apperknowle
Clay Cross
Heath
Hepthorne Lane
Marsh Lane
Ridgeway
Killamarsh
Wingerworth.
People have until September 22 to make their voices heard. Write to National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, Freepost Consultation Team or alternatively you can email consultation@postoffice.co.uk
* There is a public meeting about the proposed closure of Marsh Lane Post Office at the Green Lawns, on Friday, at 7.15pm.
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