Dozens take to the streets to campaign for the “vital service”

THE fight to retain a post office in Colyton is stepping up a gear as the countdown to closure continues.

Dozens of protesters turned out on Saturday, demanding urgent action to safeguard the “vital” service, which loses its home when Hibberd’s Stores shuts later this month.

An action group has been formed to put pressure on the Post Office and local councillors to find a speedy solution, both for the short and long term.

Jane Dauncey, joint leader with David Baxendale, said residents - especially the elderly - were “absolutely dependent on it”.

She told The Herald: “The Post Office says that it is committed to establishing a Post Office “local service” in Colyton but has not yet found a way to do it or produced a timetable in which to achieve it.

“An informal local action group has been established to ensure that Colyton will continue to have the vital service that it needs and to put pressure on our elected representatives as well as the Post Office Ltd itself.

“We are very concerned that from May 24 Colyton will be without a service and as yet no arrangements have been made so that people can draw their pensions etc.

“This is particularly difficult for people without cars and some elderly people are unable to use public transport either.

“We are requesting an urgent public meeting with the Post Office management and we are also encouraging people to write and make their views known.

“EDDC and the parish council have been working on this problem for a few months but we are about to hit a crisis point.”

No one from Post Office Ltd was available to comment as the Herald went to press but the organisation has previously said it is committed to finding a new home in Colyton and wants to keep the temporary closure period to a minimum.

* For more information on the campaign call Mrs Dauncey on 01297 552514 or Mr Baxendale 01297 553463 or visit the news section of the parish council website at www.colytonparishcouncil.co.uk