Maidenhead & Windsor

The Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough is continuing to support residents in the fight against the closure of many local post offices – and is calling for the closure plans to be reconsidered.

A motion unanimously passed by council on Tuesday condemns the threatened loss of local post offices and the difficulties this may cause to many residents.

The motion further expresses “dismay” that local councils and local communities will be the final consultees before closures are announced - and calls on the Post Office and the government to reconsider proposals “that will disadvantage many people”.

The meeting heard from Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Mrs Kathy Newbound, proposer of the motion, that since the council first called for a halt to the closure programme earlier this year, it emerged that councils and local communities would only get six weeks, at the end of the process, to comment on any proposed closures.

Cllr David Burbage, leader of the council, said: “We are determined to carry on putting pressure on the Post Office and the government to take the views of local people into account.

“A six week period at the end of the whole process simply does not allow enough time for the views of residents to be properly appreciated and acted upon – and it is some of the more vulnerable, elderly members of our society who will be most affected by these proposed closures.”

Cllr Alison Knight, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead strategy, who seconded the motion, said: “Post Offices are so often the lifeblood of many local communities, a real social hub where people meet and get to know one another.

“These proposed closures could really spell disaster for some of the smaller communities across the borough, and must be opposed at all costs.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead