Last month it was announced that post offices in Greenlaw, Hutton and Eccles are to closure and be replaced with mobile outreach services. This news came as quite a shock to the facilities concerned and a host of local politicians have rallied to get behind those affected.
This week it was announced the sub-postmistress at Gordon, one of the post offices in the area which managed to escape the chop, has tendered her resignation. This has the potential to completely change the situation in Berwickshire.
According to the Goverment, 94 per cent of the population must be within six miles of a Post Office. If Gordon closes the villages of Polworth, Greenlaw, Gordon, Westruther, Houndslaw, Hume and Fogo, would be up to 15 miles plus from Duns or Kelso post offices, breaking government statute.
John Lamont, MSP for Roxburgh and Berwickshire has started a campaign with Westminister candidate Chris Walker to help save offices throughout the Borders and this has involved the setting up of an online petition at www.saveborderspostoffices.com.
Commenting on the postmistress' resignation, Mr Lamont said: "I have concerns about what this means for the community of Gordon, and also the other communities which, under the current Post Office proposals, will have to travel to Greenlaw to use the new mobile service. At a time of considerable uncertainty for people over their postal services, this is a worrying development. It is concerning that this could potentially lead to yet another Post office closure in the Borders.
"I understand the commercial pressures which are on postmasters but there is an equal obligation on Post Office Ltd to provide a reliable service to local communities, particularly those in rural areas like Greenlaw, Gordon, Hutton and Eccles."
On Tuesday, the MSP met the chair of the watchdog for postal services, to discuss the closure programme and following the meeting, he commented: "Postwatch Scotland have a crucial role to play in the current process and I was pleased to be able to discuss my concerns with the chair, Professor Alan Alexander. As the watchdog for the postal services industry, Postwatch Scotland have committed to ensuring that the consultation exercise currently underway is meaningful and that Post Office Ltd take into account the views of local residents affected by the changes.
Postwatch Scotland were very keen that local residents express their opinions on the proposals, either by writing to Post Office Ltd at National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM, or by attending one of the public meetings arranged in the affected communities in the coming weeks.
"I firmly believe that the proposals represent a significant blow to rural communities which have already been hit by the loss of other local services like schools, shops and GP surgeries in recent times. Whilst some communities will still have a post office service after these changes have been introduced, it is important to note that the service will be dramatically reduced. I would urge residents in the affected communities to make their views known to Post Office Ltd in writing or by coming along to one of the public meetings which have been arranged."
The public meetings to discuss the proposals will take place on Monday, September 15, from 5-7pm in Hutton Village Hall and 7.30-9pm in the Fairbairn Hall, Greenlaw.