The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Controversial rural mobile PO plan aims to restore services
POST OFFICE: Vehicle will visit towns and villages offering a range of services
Controversial proposals to use a mobile service to “restore” Post Office services to 11 communities across Fife and Perthshire have been unveiled.
A specially adapted vehicle will visit towns and villages throughout the area, many of which have been without a dedicated Post Office branch for some time.
Crail, Crossgates, Dunshalt, Elie, Lundin Links and Upper Largo in Fife are all in line to benefit.
Dunkeld, Guildtown, Rait, Rhynd and Spittalfield in Perthshire will do likewise if the scheme is approved, with most communities only likely to see the van an hour or two each week.
A six-week consultation has begun, with the Post Office arguing the introduction of a mobile service is a “tried and tested” way of maintaining service to smaller communities without the need for fixed premises.
Kenny Lamont, Post Office network operations area manager, said: “We are confident that these new services will meet customer needs.
“Our priority is to restore Post Office services to these local communities and we believe the establishment of mobile services presents the best possible solution to provide Post Office services to these communities.”
The mobile service would be operated by the postmaster from the Kennoway Post Office and would provide a service at a set time each week.
A range of services would be available, with customers able to collect benefits in cash using the Post Office’s everyday banking services or PO card account.
North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins, who has recently voiced concerns about the loss of Post Office branches in the likes of Crail and Dunshalt, urged people to have their say.
He said: “Protecting access to post office services is very important to communities.
“Questions asked include how suitable are the locations suggested and how easy is it to get there? Are there any other local community issues which may be affected or affect the proposed change?
“And do people have any comments on the proposed dates and times?”
Submissions can be made during the consultation, which will close on March 15, by writing to Freepost YOUR COMMENTS to Post Office Ltd, via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, via the Customer Helpline on 03457 22 33 44 or Textphone 03457 22 33 55.
Customers can also share their views online.
We believe the establishment of mobile services presents the best possible solution