AM's outrage at PO plan

2:48pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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Commenting on proposals to close the Penparc Branch Post Office Ceredigion on the grounds the axe must occur due to branches in Llandrindod and Brecon remaining open. Welsh Conservative Assembly leader Nick Bourne AM said: This is an outrage. To close one branch due to two others avoiding closure, with no geographical relation, is ridiculous.'' According to reports the closure must occur in order to meet the government's instruction to reduce 2, 500 branches throughout the UK and to do this on a geographically proportionate basis'.

When the minister was challenged by Bourne in the chamber he responded by stating he could not refer to any individual cases. Bourne added: Ridiculous. This really is a case of legislation moving in the wrong direction.

Furthermore the reasoning behind the closure doesn't add up.

There is no geographical link between the Penparc and the two saved branches in Brecon and Llandrindod. I am delighted they have been saved but the Penparc branch should stay open.

Thus the proposal is based on false grounds. The minister avoided the opportunity to explain the situation and the proposed closure must be prevented.''