Bruce demands complete review of Gordon Post Office services (BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats)

BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats <info@banffandbuchanlibdems.org.uk>

Bruce demands complete review of Gordon Post Office services

January 5, 2010 12:00 AM
Originally published by The Rt Hon Malcolm Bruce MP

Local MP Malcolm Bruce is demanding that Royal Mail, review the post office counter service available in Aberdeenshire.

The Gordon MP has today written to the Chief Executive of the Royal Mail Group, Adam Crozier, demanding a complete review of the post office services across Gordon after a "a catalogue of failure."

In his letter Mr Bruce describes how the current service to several villages in his constituency are not fit for purpose and fall far below what Royal Mail promised in their 2008 review.

Mr Bruce spoke of the frustration facing residents in 7 villages who have had or are facing a reduction of service in: Lumsden, Rhynie, Kennethmont, Newburgh, Collieston and Udny Station as well as Newmachar.

He said:

"I am calling on Royal Mail immediately to launch a review of the postal service currently provided to these villages with a view to improving the service received by a great many of my constituents.

"In the snowy conditions affecting the area at the moment I managed to visit Rhynie and Lumsden today.The outreach service was due in Rhynie but had not arrived. My constituents inform me that it is not unusual for the service to be late or not show up with no notice. Whether it is due to weather or 'technical faults' I'm sure Mr Crozier will agree that the image of pensioners waiting in the snow, hoping to receive their pensions is not a positive one for the Royal Mail brand."

"This is not a complaint about the Outreach staff who have had a lot of positive feedback from residents but they cannot be expected to provide a decent service with inadequate equipment.

"The portable equipment doesn't apparently like being transported hence the repeated failures. The poor support and equipment appears to be making it difficult to recruit or retain sub postmasters. Pensioners and others rely on a predictable, efficient, accessible and reasonably comfortable service. Too often they are simply not getting it. We told them these arrangements were inadequate and they did not listen.I hope they'll listen now."

ENDS