"I am pleased to hear that a very good campaign by the local community and their representatives has been able to win a reprieve for these two important community resources," said Mr. Black. "I would like to congratulate those who fought the closures as it has been their hard work and campaigning that has forced the Post Office to abandon those plans."
"Unfortunately other campaigns, including the strong campaign put forward to save Heol-Y-Cyw Post Office near Pencoed in Bridgend, have not been successful. This is going to have a devastating effect on the local communities involved and is the reason why we have fought these closures so hard."
"I am particularly disappointed that the reprieve of two Post Offices has led to a new threat to the one in Lone Road in Clydach. Local Welsh Liberal Democrats will be leading the fight against this closure. The success of the local community in Sketty and Neath shows that some can be saved with the right sort of campaign."
"I would urge the Labour Government once more to abandon this closure programme and start to invest in Post Offices instead. The answer to the problem is not closure but investment. The Liberal Democrats have plans which would see £2 billion invested in the Post Office network and keep them in towns and villages, not leave the vulnerable stranded miles from a vital and often life-saving resource."
Notes: The Post Office Network Change Programme had earmarked 40 Post Offices for Closure in the South and West Wales Area. Two Post Offices have been granted a reprieve and Postwatch have asked for a review of the decision on a further five. Thirty three Post Offices will be closing.
Nineteen Post Offices in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire were also due to be replaced with Outreach services. Seven of these have been escalated to a review by Postwatch.
