Campaigners yesterday warned communities across Scotland will face a "devastating" blow in the new year with the closure of hundreds of post offices.

Details of around 40 post offices likely to close in the Highlands and Islands will be announced on January 8, with the list of the 44 to be axed in Glasgow, Central Scotland and Argyll and Bute published the following day.

Announcements on further closures elsewhere in the country will be made throughout the year as part of the UK Government's plans to shut 2500 post offices to help tackle rising losses.

Postal bosses insist "the status quo is not an option" and that the large-scale closures will guarantee the service's long-term future.

But the decision was criticised yesterday by politicians and postal workers, who warned of the "devastating" effect it will have on local communities, especially those in rural areas.

Mike Weir, the SNP's spokesman on business and postal affairs at Westminster, criticised the UK Government for giving communities only six weeks to fight the plans.

He said: "Even if they are successful it will only mean that a neighbouring community will face closures. They are in a no-win situation.

"What is needed is a full review of the network, not a piecemeal programme simply aimed at closing a set percentage of offices."

Around one in five post offices are facing the axe across the UK and Andrew Gilhooly, Scottish executive officer for the National Federation of Subpostmasters, said the effect on communities will be as bad as closing local churches.

He said: "I'm very pessimistic for the future of the post office network. Post offices are crucial for the welfare of rural people, and this will impact severely on local businesses.

"It will be devastating in local communities."

A spokesman for Postwatch, the consumer pressure group, said they believed the consultation period for the closure plans should be doubled from six to 12 weeks.

He added: "The closure of post offices inconveniences some customers and making the consultation period 12 weeks allows communities to get over the shock of what's happening, look at what's being proposed, and come up with sensible proposals."

Post Office Ltd sparked anger in October when it announced the Glasgow, Central Scotland and Argyll and Bute branches facing closure.

Robert Brown, the Liberal Democrat MSP for Glasgow, said his party were "strongly opposed" to the cuts.

He said: "There appears to be no clear strategy from the government on the future of post offices.

"The closure of branches on this scale will do little to stabilise the service. Many communities depend on the post office for vital services and once they are gone they are very difficult to bring back."

The UK Government has said it wants the closures to take place by 2009, although it has said 500 "outreach" post offices, based in places like village halls, will be set up.

Mary Scanlon, the Tory MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said there needed to be "innovative" solutions to help the communities affected.

She said: "There are opportunities to merge post offices with tourist information centres, a council service point or even a doctors' surgery, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, given the lack of public transport and the greater cultural dependence on the post office.

A spokeswoman for the Post Office said: "The status quo is not an option. Post Office Ltd has to take into account the strict criteria laid down by the UK Government that applies to both rural and urban areas, before producing its proposals.

"The proposals also take into account factors such as local demographics, locations of alternative offices and the local economy.

"Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers.

"Our aim is to continue to provide essential services and support retail businesses and the local economy in as many communities as possible."



Under threat

GREATER GLASGOW

  • Aurs Drive, Barrhead
  • Eaglesham Road, Clarkston
  • St Vincent Terrace, Anderston
  • Allison Street, Govanhill
  • High Street
  • Springfield Road
  • Grantlea Terrace, Sandymount
  • Glenavon Road, Gilshochill
  • Clarence Drive, Hyndland
  • Kelvindale Road, Kelvindale
  • Dumbarton Road
  • Drumbottie Road, Balornock
  • Red Road, Balornock
  • Forge Street, Royston,
  • Crow Road
  • Garscadden Road, Drumchapel
  • Inchfad Drive, Drumchapel
  • Fulton Street, Temple
  • Busby Road, Carmunnock
  • Castlemilk Road, Croftfoot
  • Clarkston Road, Muirend
  • Kildrostan Street, Pollokshields

    CENTRAL
  • Main Street, Skinflats
  • Quarry Brae, Brightons
  • Stenhousemuir
  • Lea Park Drive, Bonnybridge
  • Wheatlands Avenue, Bonnybridge
  • Fleming Court, Denny
  • Thornhill Road, Falkirk
  • Cultenhove Road, Stirling
  • Riverside, Stirling
  • Main Street, Callander

    ARGYLL AND BUTE
  • East Princes Street, Helensburgh
  • Gallowgate, Rothesay
  • Hillfoot Street, Dunoon
  • Kirn, Dunoon
  • Combie Street, Oban
  • High Street, Campbeltown
  • Ralston Road, Campbeltown

    WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE
  • Bowling, Dumbarton Road
  • Brucehill Road, Dumbarton
  • Glasgow Road, Dumbarton
  • Argyll Street, Alexandria
  • Kilbowie Road, Clydebank