Fight to save Lingdale Post Offi ce!

By Councillor Steve Kay

Residents throughout the Lockwood area of East Cleveland are fighting to keep their Post Office.

Post Office Ltd. has officially informed our community that, owing ‘to unforeseen circumstances’, of which we are sadly aware, Lingdale Post Office is temporarily closed (a fact glaringly obvious to local people for some time). At time of writing, my fear is that ‘temporary’ could become ‘permanent’.

Already, the closure of our post office has caused much inconvenience to the people I represent. Lingdale Post Office provides a vital service, not only to Lingdale, but to the neighbouring smaller villages (Boosbeck, Moorsholm, Stanghow, Margrove Park and Charltons),as well as hamlets and farms. Without Lingdale Post Office, the quality of life would further decline in our rural area. The nearest alternative, at Skelton, is far beyond walking distance, and bus services are inadequate. To make matters worse, many of the people I represent, especially the aged, do not have their own transport.

Post Office Ltd.is considering the possibility of moving our local office into another shop. Whilst that would be better than nothing, I’m convinced that most customers would prefer that Lingdale Post Office remains in its existing premises where, for many years, they have enjoyed an excellent, discrete service.

Lingdale, a former mining village, has lost its pub, its workingmen’s club, its bank, its clinic, and several shops. All the services needed for Lingdale and the surrounding area to function in the modern world are disappearing. Lingdale urgently needs its post office back.

As well as sending off a petition against closure, bearing hundreds of names, I have written to Post Office Ltd.’s National Consultation Scheme imploring them to re-open our post office urgently, preferably in its present premises.

Finally, I should like to thank Steve and Caroline, who have run Lingdale Post Office for years in a dedicated, efficient, and friendly manner. Two great servants of the community!

You can object to the closure of Lingdale Post Office, 15 High Street, Lingdale TS12 3DZ to: FREEPOST, Your Comments, National Consultation Scheme, Post Office Ltd. Or email comments@postoffice.co.uk

Redcar library set to take up temporary new home at Tuned

Redcar & Cleveland Council have proposed to temporarily move Redcar Library from the ground of Redcar and Cleveland House to the ground floor of Tuned In! Majuba Road, Redcar.

The relocation is being proposed as part of the ongoing drive by the Council to ensure efficiencies and value for money and to continue to provide essential services that are valued by residents.

Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Culture, Cllr Louise Westbury