Post Office bosses today turned their back on pleas from thousands of customers and pressed ahead with plans axe 24 Birmingham sub post offices. Despite a massive response to the Evening Mail's "Save Our Post Offices" petition only three of the threatened 29 offices were saved with two more being granted a stay of execution. The Mail's campaign, which included a series of protests outside individual post offices, attracted widespread support from MPs, councillors and community groups. But arrogant Post Office bosses snubbed the needs of pensioners, the unemployed and everyday users to press on with their cost cutting crusade. Campaigner Jan Drinkwater said she was "devastated" by the decision. She said: "I am totally disappointed. This is total devastation for the south of Birmingham and doesn't bode well for the north of the city when their turn comes. "They obviously haven't listened to the arguments at all. "As far as I know there is no right of appeal, so all we can do now is support shopkeepers and hope centres like Shenley Green don't fall into disuse."
Post offices to close:
Edgbaston: Harbourne Lane, Moor Pool and Templefield.
Hall Green: Highfield Road, Yarningale Road.
Northfield: Edgewood Road, Farren Road, Shenley Lane.
Selly Oak: Bournville, Redditch Road, Stirchley, Weoley Avenue, Wychall Road.
Sparkbrook and Small Heath: Cheapside, Greet, Ladypool Road, Reddings Lane, Tyseley, Yardley Green Road.
Yardley: Bosworth Road, Hay Mills, Lower Stechford, Old Yardley, Stechford.
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But Post Office Limited head of Midlands Region Paul Maisey even had a warning for the three offices saved: "Their future survival is dependant on the number of customers using them. "I would therefore encourage everyone to campaign to keep the branches open to use them." Industry watchdog Postwatch today welcomed the Post Office decision to keep three offices open and praised the Evening Mail's role. Midlands chairman Richard Ward said: "This will ensure a more balanced network in Birmingham and ensure ease of accessibility for those customers having to migrate from closing offices. "The money being made available to invest in the remaining offices should be released as quickly as possible to ensure bigger, brighter, better outlets." The three saved offices were reconsidered because of future developments in the areas they serve. Mr Maisey added: "We have listened carefully to the views put forward at meetings. We acknowledge that seeing a local facility close is disappointing for those who use it. "While at this time it is of little consolation to those customers, it is only by closing branches where alternatives are available that we can maintain a nationwide network." | 
