Postmasterdefends AnPoststancein postofficesaga

March 1986

A new sub post office is needed in Bray’s fastest growing area if An Post is to get the stamp of approval for its new commercial and go-ahead image.

That was the message from local councillors this week when they spelled out reasons why the facility is needed in the Ballywaltrim district.

The target for their argument was Bray postmaster Harry Shaw who met councillors in the latest round of the long running controversy.

But while Mr Shaw admitted that he had been subject to a ‘ barrage’ of reasons for a new post office, he also returned a few salvos of his own against the idea.

He first of all told the councillors that they were award of An Post’s criteria that no sub post office could be built within a mile of an existing facility. Because of the Newtown-Vevay office, this ruled out most of the Boghall Road.

The situation has been constantly revived but An Post had maintained an attitude of ‘no not yet’ said Mr Shaw, who added that An Post preferred to follow development in a community rather than anticipate.

He argued that even with the planned major housing development, most of this would fall into the ambit of the existing office at Newtown-Vevay.

He explained that only new developments more than a mile beyond the present post office would be the focal point for a new post office.

He also argued that because of the salary structure used by An Post, a new post office would take away from the wages paid to the staff of the present post office.

Mr Shaw said that a density of 2,000 houses was required for each new sub post office.

He noted that Bray had enjoyed the benefits of four sub post offices in the 1950s and stated