Plans to shut post offices in Sadlers Walk and Parklands, Chichester, and in West Wittering, have been announced – going against the government's policy of reducing car travel into towns and cities.
It is also proposed to reduce services at Compton and West Dean.

Committee chairman Cllr Martin Daws-Chew told the committee's public meeting at Boxgrove Village Hall he would be writing to Post Office Ltd, reflecting the outrage of residents.

And he said it was vital people responded to the consultation before it ended on March 10.

Cllr Daws-Chew demanded: "Is Post Office Ltd seeking to close financially-viable sub-post offices in order to force customers to access services from fewer main post offices?

"Even now the main post office in Chichester is unable to cope with the volume of customers. Yet it is proposed to close sub-offices that are both efficient and providing added value to an already existing business."

Many customers were currently able to walk or cycle to their nearest post office.

"However, these proposals will necessitate an unwelcome journey for many people. For older people, people with a disability or those without their own transport, it will be extremely difficult and time consuming to access a post office," he added.

It was pointed out at the meeting:

• While dial-a-ride operates in Chichester, it costs £1.85 for a single fare. That means a trip into Chichester to access the post office could be expensive for older people who are unable to use buses because of infirmity.




• There will be pressure on areas where parking is currently easily accessible and free.

"The proposals will lead to further city-centre congestion and increased queues within the remaining post offices."

Chichester City Council raised its opposition to closures at the meeting.

Cllr Daws-Chew added: "I trust the Post Office will listen to and give full consideration to all the concerns raised prior to making its final decision."

County councillors representing areas affected also spoke out strongly. Cllr Mike Hall (Chichester North) called for the retention of Post Office services at West Dean, and warned about the impact of the cutbacks.

Cllr Louise Goldsmith, representing Chichester West – where Parklands is located – condemned the Post Office consultation as flawed, and said it took no account of building sustainable communities.

Cllr Mark Dunn, representing Bourne division – which includes Compton – said the government was promoting large facilities where additional services other than core Post Office services could be provided. But there was already queueing in the main Chichester Post Office throughout its opening hours.

A social worker living locally told the meeting there were quite a number of physically and mentally infirm people, many of them elderly, living on the Parklands estate who would be particularly badly affected if the closure went ahead.