Locals urged to turn up and help PO campaign in Coatshill

Aug 21 2008 by Graham Fraser, Hamilton Advertiser

SUPPORTERS of the ‘Save Coatshill Post Office’ campaign are urging locals to attend a public meeting next week to ensure the amenity stays open.

Last month, around 250 residents from the Blantyre district turned up at a public meeting at the TACT Hall to voice their discontent.

Next Tuesday, August 26, another meeting will be held at the hall and organisers are hoping for a similar attendance.

Coatshill Post Office is one of 11 across Lanarkshire which is facing the axe under plans to restructure the national Post Office network.

Jim Botterill, who is leading the campaign, said: “The support we have had to date has been good. We have received over 700 letters in support and between 1200 and 1400 people have signed a petition against the closure.

“We now need a bit more momentum. We need to show Post Office Ltd that the whole community is against the closure.

“At the meeting next Tuesday, the community will have the opportunity to ask questions to a representative from Post Office Ltd directly.”

Mr Botterill added that Coatshill is involved in over 2000 transactions every week, while 600 pensioners use the office.

Many of the pensions and disabled people who have spoken to the shop owner have said they want Coatshill to remain open because it has the best access for people with limited mobility.

Mr Botterill also warned that closure of Coatshill post office would lead to a probable loss of nine jobs.

Speakers at the last meeting included Angela McCormack from watchdog Postwatch Scotland, independent Blantyre councillor Bert Thomson, Tommy McAvoy MP and Tom McCabe MSP.

Many of them are expected to attend on Tuesday, along with other elected representatives.

Councillor Thomson commented: “I am encouraging people to come along and support the post office. People need to get involved in the community.

“If the post office is taken away, it will never come back. Come along and be heard.”

Tommy McAvoy, the Labour MP for the area, is hoping the recent support of South Lanarkshire Council leader Eddie McAvoy for the Mill Street Post Office in Rutherglen will help Coatshill’s chances.

Tommy McAvoy said: “As we are now approaching the end of the consultation period the possibility of the council having a role in keeping Coatshill open is very welcome.”

Eddie McAvoy confirmed the support of the council. He said: “The issue of Coatshill will be going to a Executive Committee Meeting on August 27.

“The council will support every post office facing closure in the area, including Coatshill.

“I hope everyone in Blantyre gets behind the campaign to save it.”

This week, Post Office Ltd outlined further plans to close 26 branches across Edinburgh, the Lothians and the South of Scotland while a further 32 are earmarked for downgrading.

Sally Buchanan, the Post Office's network development manager for Scotland, said the proposals were the best for services across the area while still meeting government criteria. The public consultation on Coatshill Post Office closes on September 1.

The meeting next Tuesday, August 26, at the TACT Hall will begin at 7.30pm.

IF you would like to help save Coatshill Post Office, write to Sally Buchanan, Network Development Manager, PO Ltd, Freepost Consultation Team.

Alternatively, write to Freepost Postwatch or e-mail saveyourpostoffice@botterills.net