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MP Norman Baker welcomes Post Office policy change
SEAFORD MP Norman Baker has welcomed assurances by the Post Office that it will change its future policy when temporary closures take place.
The news comes after branches in both Seaford and Lewes were shut on separate days and no information was provided to customers.
The Lewes branch temporary closure was as a result of a timer fault with the safe, preventing staff from accessing the till inserts and, therefore, their ability to serve customers.
Mr Baker said, "Of course, such a closure would not have been such a problem had it not been for the pillaging of the local Post Office network.
"However, the fact of the matter is that there was no alternative for customers in such an event, leaving some very concerned, and I do not believe it to be acceptable that these customers were not kept informed of the situation."
The MP contacted the Post Office to request that an explanation for the temporary closure be provided and asked why information was not provided to customers.
The Post Office's response accepted that the level of information provided was not satisfactory and will ensure that in future the service it provides to its customers in such instances will improve.
The post office in Church Street, Seaford was closed on December 18 and 19 last year after weather conditions meant staff were unable to get to the premises.
This led to a complaint from resident David Chester who said he had to travel to the town's other post office facility in Walmer Road.
Making reference to the incident Mr Baker added, "I am pleased that the Post Office has recognised that there was a problem at the Lewes branch and has provided assurances that it will be rectified in the future.
"However, it is a concern that they did not learn from the situation in Seaford and be ready to provide customers with information about the closure.
"I have accepted their assurances that such a lapse in customer care will not happen again. If it does, I will be taking matters further."
Mr Chester also sent off a letter about the matter and in a response from Post Office Ltd was told that the subpostmaster and additional key holder both live some distance from Seaford and could not travel in because of weather conditions.
However, the letter added that the situation has been reviewed with the new subpostmaster at Seaford who in future will ensure a keyholder lives within walking distance of the branch.
Mr Chester was also informed that should a similar situation arise that a notice would be placed on the door advising customers of the temporary closure and of where the nearest alternative services are available.
A Post Office Ltd spokesperson, "Our staff and agents work hard to keep post offices open as far as possible in adverse weather conditions and in Seaford we have made contingency plans to ensure that keys are available locally should there be further problems."
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Weather for Eastbourne
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: West
