CONCERNED residents will soon know whether the axe is to fall on an Ipswich post office.Post Office Ltd is due to announce the fate of Barrack Corner post office in Norwich Road – one of five post offices earmarked to close in the Ipswich constituency.

CONCERNED residents will soon know whether the axe is to fall on an Ipswich post office.

Post Office Ltd is due to announce the fate of Barrack Corner post office in Norwich Road - one of five post offices earmarked to close in the Ipswich constituency.

But the proposed closure has caused concern and around 600 signatures have been submitted in protest to Post Office Ltd.

Ipswich Borough Council's Westgate councillor Martin Cook said: "People wanted to retain local facilities. They didn't want to have to go into town for the post office.

"People think that to lose the Barrack Corner post office would put a lot of extra stress on the ones at Tower Ramparts and London Road.

"Elderly people will also be disappointed if the Barrack Corner post office closes - some of them said it would be a real issue for them.

"We would like to see it stay open. It is an important local amenity for people living in the area."

But Postwatch has not objected to the proposed closure.

Roger Brunning, urban reinventions adviser for Postwatch in the East of England, said: "We felt the receiving post office in London Road offered a reasonable alternative and we haven't raised any objections to the closure of Barrack Corner post office.

"We acknowledge many local customers will be put to some inconvenience, but are satisfied that with continued access to post offices at Tower Ramparts, London Road and Carr Street, services can be maintained."

He added Postwatch wants to see an additional counter position at London Road post office open at least a week before the proposed closure, as well as hearing loop at London Road and Carr Street post offices, a low level counter position at London Road and automatic doors at Carr Street within three months of the closure.

George Hooper, Post Office Ltd's head of area, said: "No change is not an option for Post Office Ltd which is losing increasing amounts of money - £194 million last year alone.

"Nor is it an option for sub postmasters whose branches are simply taking too little to pay their way.

"Losing the neighbourhood office on the doorstep will be an inconvenience for customers whose branch closes, but at the end of the day, this is about creating a viable network in urban areas."

The consultation period on the future of Barrack Corner post office ended on April 16 and the final decision is expected next week.

N What do you think about the proposed closure of Barrack Corner post office? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk