The Post Office has accelerated its 3 year national programme of closing up
to a third of all urban Post Offices and hopes to complete all closures by
2004. And now the Post Office will soon announce which, if any, of the 6
post offices in Lichfield and 4 in Burntwood will be earmarked for closure.

"Postwatch, the post office watchdog, emphasised the need for people to
object to any proposed closures immediately they are announced", says
Michael Fabricant following a meeting he had with Tony Stirrop and Steve Lax
of Postwatch Midlands on Friday 26th September. "There is only a 6 week
consultation period available once closures are announced and it is vital
that objectors write within that period to Post Office headquarters copying
their letters to Postwatch Midlands. Postwatch told me that because
postmasters are offered generous terms if they are earmarked for closure,
they themselves don’t always object. So it is up to post office customers
to make their views known. And if any Burntwood or Lichfield post offices
are named for closure, and it is just possible that with the wide spread of
post offices in the area none will be listed for closure, I would be
interested to hear from any concerned constituents so that I can pass their
views onto the appropriate authorities.

"But most importantly, in the event of any closures being announced,
objectors should write immediately to Post Office Ltd (NCT), PO Box 2060,
Watford WD18 8ZW and copy the letter to Richard Ward, Chairman, Postwatch
Midlands, Friars Mill, Friars Terrace, Stafford ST17 4DX or email
midlands@postwatch.co.uk", Michael adds.

An announcement from the Post Office is expected in October or November.
The Post Office Urban Closure Programme does not affect rural post offices
in other parts of the Lichfield Parliamentary constituency.