Post Office confirms PO axe

THE POST Office today confirmed that the axe will fall on six branches in Oldham with only Lees being saved.

Post Offices in Egerton Street, Brackley Square; Greenacres Moor; Lower Rushcroft, Shaw; Scouthead; Buckstones Road, Shaw and Grasscroft will all close, along with Moorside which was already temporarily closed.

The announcement is a major blow to postmasters, councillors and customers who had fought campaigns to keep their post office open during six weeks of consultation.

Lees was reprieved last week following a huge effort by locals who had responded to the Chronicle’s campaign.

It is one of four branches saved in Greater Manchester and High Peak, with 62 to close - but their success means Broadoak Road Post Office, Ashton and Higher Tonge Post Office, Middleton now face the axe instead.

Bosses claims that 99.2 per cent of the population will either see no change to their existing branch or will remain within one mile of an alternative branch.

Post Office Ltd’s Network Development Manager Richard Lynds said: “These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly. We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation.

“We believe that the plan announced today offers our customers in this area the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future.”