Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, has called on Post Office officials to meet with her in Gosforth to discuss their proposals to move the Post Office branch from Gosforth Shopping Centre/High Street, to a new location on Salters Road.

Despite overwhelming opposition expressed in the public consultation by local residents and traders, Catherine and Citizens Advice, the Post Office has decided to press ahead with the planned move.

Catherine has now asked Post Office officials to join her for a site visit to both the current and proposed new location, in order that they can better understand why so many local people are opposed to the move, and to press them on what attempts were made to seek an alternative location on – or closer to – Gosforth High Street.

Catherine said:

‘Like many other local people, I have repeatedly voiced my opposition to this crazy proposal. I believe the new location will not only damage the High Street, but will also seriously threaten the viability of the Post Office in Gosforth as the new location simply isn’t accessible for so many of my constituents.

‘That’s why I want to meet with Post Office officials in Gosforth so they can better understand the public opposition to this plan.

‘I also want to hear in much greater detail about the attempts made by the Post Office to secure a more appropriate new location, as we really need to know that every avenue has been pursued to keep this much-needed branch as close to the High Street – and local transport provision – as possible.

‘I am particularly concerned about vague pledges made by the Post Office in their most recent letter ‘to contact the relevant organisations’ about improvements to local bus routes and parking for the new branch. I believe the Post Office must obtain firm commitments on these issues if and before it decides to go ahead with this very unpopular and damaging move’.

Click on the images below to read the Post Office’s latest letter and Catherine’s response:

Page 1Page 2

Page one

Page two

Tags: