Mark Todd

Mark will fight plans to shut three post offices in South Derbyshire . These proposals were announced today.

It was revealed in May that 2,500 post offices were to be shut by 2009 because of rising losses and fewer people using the network.

Today the Post Office lists Church Gresley, Egginton and Newton Solney branches as among those that are expected to close.

The report says that all three areas are within one to three miles of the nearest post office. There will be a six-week consultation period until November 12.

Mark is concerned that residents will struggle to access the nearest post offices.

He says the Church Gresley branch is very heavily-used and villagers face a walk up and down a steep hill to the nearest post office nearly a mile away in Market Street , Swadlincote.

In Egginton, there is no bus service and at Newton Solney, the nearest post office is two miles away.

Mark, who intends to meet with sub-postmasters at the three branches, said: “While I accept that some ill-used post offices with declining customer numbers must close, I can’t support these proposals. The proposal for Church Gresley is frankly amazing, Until recently, my office was next door and the queue used to wind past my window. I’ll be urging residents to say no to these plans.”

“I’m meeting the Senior External Relations Manager for Post Office Limited on Friday to challenge this proposal.”

People can send their views on the closure to Mark Partington, Network Development Manager, c/o National Consultation Team, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM.