Maidenhead & Windsor

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is stepping up its fight to save South Ascot post office in Brockenhurst Road following the news earlier this month that five post offices across the borough are to shut.

Windsor and Maidenhead Council on Tuesday passed a unanimous motion from Cllr Alison Knight, Sunninghill and South Ascot ward councillor (and seconded by Cllr John Story), that the council leader write to the managing director of Post Offices Ltd expressing the council's opposition to the proposed closure and demanding that the branch be kept open.

The closure proposal follows the decision by Post Offices Ltd to axe branches at Boyne Hill, Cookham Road, Knowl Hill and Norfolk Park in Maidenhead and Springfield Road in Windsor. Only the Bridge Road post office in Maidenhead was saved.

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Knight said: "We were all delighted to hear that Bridge Road post office will remain open, but it seems that this is now at the expense of South Ascot.

"The post office in Brockenhurst Road is the only one in the area, and serves a wide community including residents on the Bouldish Farm estate, many of whom do not have their own transport.

"The other nearest post offices are in Ascot High Street, which is a walk up a very steep hill from South Ascot, and the main post office in Sunninghill is even further away.

"The closure of Brockenhurst Road would impact very severely on many older people and some of the most vulnerable members of our community. We are determined to fight to try to save this valuable asset which is truly a lifeline for so many."

A six-week consultation on the proposals to close South Ascot post office begins on May 28 and runs until July 8.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead