HOLCOMBE – POST OFFICE CLOSURE

I am writing to protest the proposed closure of Hollandia sub post office.

We are a typical English rural village, (a Pub, Church, Village Hall & Post office/shop).Your proposed closure would affect the very heart of this traditional environment.It would also endanger the viability of the only shop we have.For many residents who use the PO/Shop, it is a vital form of local contact – sometimes, the only contact they have with other people. A high percentage of these people will be totally isolated if they loose the P.O. Not only does the postmaster cater for the P.O side, he also provides a link to the community.

Holcombe is classed as a Retirement village, due to the fact that the majority of residents are over 60, many are 80 +. Some have no means of transport and we do not have any public transport service in the village. The nearest bus stop to myself being over 1/2mile walk on a very steep road.To others it is further.

Closure of the P.O. Would cause severe hardship , both financially and physically, to the more vulnerable of our residents. A return taxi trip to Dawlish/Teignmouth is on average £11. Out of a basic state pension, this necessary journey would be a costly burden.Other than this, some would have to rely on friends, relatives or volunteers to collect pensions/post letters etc. This in turn would lead to a heavier flow of traffic in and out of the village. The additional usage of cars travelling to Dawlish or Teignmouth, would add to the problems of the towns' parking and congestion, particularly during the holiday season.This would not seem to comply with our Environmentally Green policies.

Our nearest proposed sub P.O, will be Ashley way in Teignmouth, which in itself is closer to both the bus route and Teignmouth main P.O. Branch than we are from either of our proposed 'local' P.O's.Ashley is 1.5 miles away (as the crow flies).They are only 440 yards from a bus route, but the people of Holcombe do not have a bus link to use. It was suggested (by a P.O. Watch representative) at the meeting in Holcombe on 28^th may, that this was within walking distance?

I am a relatively fit under 60 yr old, and would not relish this trip over rough and hilly terrain, especially in our erratic climate. Ashley sub P.O. Is also not suitable for wheelchair use, having a step at the entrance.This is not a viable option to the people of Holcombe.

The next nearest P.O. Is in the Strand at Dawlish.Although boasting wheelchair access status,it it hardly wheelchair friendly.The aisles having goods displayed on either side,it would take only one person to block this path for the whole P.O. queue to be held up. Parking spaces are at a premium, especially during the summer months.Traffic congestion would increase. Waiting times to be served, would increse due to the influx of customers from Holcombe.If the trip was made by bus, a lenghty walk, a possible delay in bus timetable, another walk (440yds) perhaps carrying a parcel, a queue and then the trek home.Or of course, we could walk the whole distance – assuming we are fit -.

All other post offices in the vicinity have a reasonable public transport system avaiable to them,Holcombe does not.

Closure of our branch would discriminate against the less mobile of our community.