Does Hardwick Road still have a Post Office? YES IT DOES!..Sadly 63 others are to close in West Yorkshire

Still open!

It was one of only two of the 63 proposed closures for West Yorkshire that are to remain open. Royal Mail have picked another two to close so that they meet the Governments target This link will take you to the Post Office decision.

But here is an extract:
"Post Office Ltd has decided not to proceed with the closure of the following branches:

Post Office ® Hardwick Road branch

The main concerns expressed by respondents in relation to our proposal to close Post Office® Hardwick Road branch related to public transport to and parking at the alternative branches.

Respondents also raised concerns in relation to the routes to the alterative branches, which were said to be hilly and potentially hazardous for people to walk. Respondents commented that Post Office® Hardwick Road branch was popular, had a good range of services, and had friendly, helpful staff.

A petition was submitted during the local public consultation, opposing the proposed closure and some responses were received as part of a number of campaigns opposing the closure.

Post Office Limited has considered all responses received during the local public consultation and a review of this proposal has been undertaken.

The nearest alternative branch, Post Office® Pontefract branch is 1.3 miles away. While a bus service does run into Pontefract the nearest alighting point for customers is a significant distance from the main Post Office® and would be likely to cause difficulties for relatively high numbers of elderly customers or disabled people.

Parking around Post Office® Pontefract branch is frequently problematic and customers from Post Office® Hardwick Road branch may find difficulties in accessing alternative Post Office® services. Also, given the outlying nature of Post Office® Ladybalk branch, and in light of the responses to the local public consultation, Post Office
Limited considered that very few customers from the Hardwick Road area would use this alternative branch.

Taking these and all the other relevant factors into account, including the needs of more vulnerable customers, Post Office Limited has decided not to proceed with the proposed closure of Post Office® Hardwick Road branch, which therefore will remain in the Post Office® network.

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Great news for the people of Pontefract, but a blow to the 63 other West Yorkshire communities that depend upon their local Post Office Branch and to the other Branches that will be threatened in future closures.

Our MP is already being praised and quoted in the media as helping to win the fight to keep the Hardwick Road Post Office open but as she was one of the local NULabour MPs who voted that the closure programme should continue this is rich.

More about double standards in Parliament in future posts. I am tracking her voting record on a number of issues, MPs expenses just for one example and her record and that of her husband Ed Balls makes for interesting reading.