Cynon MP disappointed at response from Lloyds
CYNON Valley’s MP says she is disappointed at the outcome of her recent meeting with Lloyds Bank over the closure of its Mountain Ash town centre branch.
Ann Clwyd met with a representative of the banking giant at the House of Commons on Thursday, November 17, where she questioned the decision which would leave Mountain Ash with- out a high street bank from March 29, 2017.
The MP says she spelled out how important the Commercial Street branch is to the local community – and in particular questioned how older people who do not have access to the internet will cope with the closure, as the nextnearest branch is almost four miles away in Aberdare.
Ms Clwyd said: “From my recent correspondence with Lloyds Bank it is crystal clear that they are not doing enough for constituents who may be affected by the proposed closure of the Mountain Ash branch.
“In my meeting with a representative of the bank I proposed the use of mobile vans to ease the pressure of residents who are unable to make their way into Aberdare.
“I am disappointed, therefore, that the only transitional arrangement proposed is to inform Mountain Ash customers that they can use the local Post Office and that there is an ATM nearby.
“This is unacceptable and it does not address the concerns I raised in my initial meeting.
“I will be continuing to call on Lloyds Bank to show the respect that con- stituents in Mountain Ash deserve.”
In announcing its closure decision on November 9 Lloyds said it had made “the difficult decision” because its customers are using the branch less often.
A spokesman said the branch has seen a 19% decrease in customers in the past year and only has 45 regular weekly personal and business customers.