In addition, all the outreach changes are going ahead exactly as proposed in Clifton-upon-Teme, Elmley Castle and Upper Welland. Last week she received a form letter from Post Office Ltd. about proposed Post Office closures in West Worcestershire. This left little room for optimism. She and Sir Michael Spicer MP have been campaigning for months against the cuts, sending in petitions, written objections and letters from constituents. They have attended public meetings in the communities affected.
Harriett Baldwin said: "I am deeply disillusioned by this so-called consultation. I am really shocked that none of the very valid objections from so many members of the public have been heard. During the consultation process Postwatch was abolished and merged into Consumer Focus. I wrote a series of detailed letters to Mr. Mark Partington listing a wide range of objections to closures at all four Post Offices - Hanley Castle, Link Top, Poolbrook and Rushwick. The least I would expect is a reply acknowledging these points and answering them. However, I have received a long letter that has spewed out of a computer and has been signed by Martina Moore, Agency Correspondence Team. It acknowledges my letters about Rushwick, Link Top and Poolbrook, but there is no mention of Hanley Castle. It concludes with the words "I would, therefore, like to thank you for the time taken to consider our proposals and provide us with your observations, which have been registered into the local consultation for full consideration as part of the decision process." I am deeply sceptical that my carefully written letters, full of specific points raised by members of the public, have truly been read, let alone given "full consideration". This Post Office closure programme has been rushed. It is ill-considered and it represents short term thinking on the part of the government."