MP is lashed over post office closure
ANGRY Altofts residents held an explosive meeting with Normanton MP Ed Balls to discuss the recent post office closures.
They challenged Mr Balls on his lack of support in their campaign to save Upper Altofts Post Office during a meeting of Altofts Residents Together at Lee Brigg WMC.
Paul Dainton, of Altofts Lodge Drive, accused Mr Balls of not being in touch with people in the area.
He told Mr Balls: “I want you to understand the anger that has been felt in the last couple of weeks after the closure was announced.”
Mr Balls said he was disappointed the community had lost the fight to keep the post office open and insisted he did all he could to help them.
He said: “I understand how frustrated people are. I put my letter alongside those sent by the community as part of the consultation.”
Mr Balls said the government would be spending 1.7 billion in subsidies to keep 10,000 post offices open. He said he did not think people would be happy to pay more in taxes to add to this amount.
Many of the elderly residents of Altofts said that access to the nearest post office in Normanton was limited.
Mr Balls agreed that the next step would be to find a way to improve bus services in the area and that he would arrange a meeting with local bus companies.
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Weather for Wakefield
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
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