ELDERLY people could lose out if plans to close a Worcester post office go ahead.

Bilford Road Post Office is one of the 10 in south Worcestershire which have been earmarked for closure following last week’s announcement.

Although the sub-postmistress is not fighting the decision, users of the post office are concerned about the possibility of losing the branch.

Ronald Hayden, aged 59, of Milton Close, Worcester, who uses the branch at least twice a week, said: “I think it is quite sad really, it is a sign of the times when everybody wants everything done on the internet.”

Conservative councillor for St Stephen’s ward, Keith Burton, fears the closure will affect older people in the area.

“It is bothering a lot of old people because I think they like to get their pensions and I suppose it is a point of contact,” he said.

The proposed closure is part of a national programme to reduce the number of post offices in the country following a fall in the number of people using them.

Closures are based on access criteria which states 99 per cent of the population should be within three miles of a post office.

Another user concerned about the closure is businesswoman Penny Robinson, of Astwood Road, Worcester.

“I would not be very happy because I use it regularly and it would be inconvenient if it closed,” she said. Writing to your Worcester News, Conservative councillor Gareth Jones raised the issue of people having to drive to alternative branches.

“These premises are ideally located to cater for this primary residential area which benefits a large number of retired people who can at present walk to this facility,” he wrote.

“To take away this community post office will no doubt lead to many people not being able to visit the proposed remaining post offices on foot and for the many who do not drive they will be further isolated in their own homes.”

Mike Foster, MP for Worcester, said he has had a number of letters from people and these comments will form the basis of his response to the Post Office.

The sub-postmistress of Bilford Road declined to comment. A six-week period of public consultation has begun and you can express your views by writing to Mark Partington, network development manager, c/o national consultation team, Freepost consultation team.