The Welsh Social Justice Minister Sioned Williams has raised the issue of a replacement Post Office in Caerphilly town centre with the organisation’s executives after lobbying from Plaid Cymru’s Lindsay Whittle.
The Blaenau Gwent, Caerffili, Rhymni Senedd Member brought the concerns over a replacement post office to the Senedd floor today (Wednesday).
In a question to Minister Sioned Williams, Lindsay Whittle said: “I, along with the Leader of Caerphilly Council, have taken part in direct meetings with the Post Office to secure a suitable replacement in the town centre but we are encountering a wall of excuses.
“The reason given by the Post Office as to why alternative sites are 'unsuitable' do not stack up.
“One site was across the road from the Post Office that had been there to my knowledge for at least 73 years because there was not suitable parking.
“Minister can I ask you to make direct representations to the Post Office executive to challenge these reasons for site rejections? We do need transparency on when the town centre will finally get its service back”
Sioned Williams said that she had met Post Office Ltd this week (Tuesday) and they provided reassurances about maintaining the network.
“I’m pleased to say that the Post Office Ltd confirmed to me – and I did raise Post Office services in Caerphilly – that they had received expressions of interest to run the post office service in Caerphilly and these are now currently being viewed. That process from expressions of interest to being typically open takes up to six months.”
Lindsay Whittle responding to the Minister’s comments said later: “The Post Office saying it could take up to six months is sending us further down a path. Whilst I am very grateful that the Minister has taken up the issue we are no nearer the reopening. I am angry and will keep fighting.”
Residents, especially older people and those without transport are being forced to travel to Castle View or Penyrheol just to access basic postal and banking services.