WEST Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox has been actively demonstrating his support for the post offices in his constituency facing closure. Mr Cox paid a visit to Meeth Post Office on Friday to discuss the proposed closure with postmistress Shirley Hosking and the rest of the village. The proposals from Post Office Ltd would see Meeth Post Office closed and replaced by an outreach vehicle. Villagers, however, are 'fighting desperately' to save the post office. One Meeth resident, who helped organise Mr Cox's visit, said: 'The post office has been in the same family for 109 years — surely this must mean something? We are fighting desperately to save it.' Concerns have also been raised over the proposed site for the outreach vehicle which would be in a layby on the A386. Villages fear that this busy road with no pavement and no lighting will be a 'dangerous' site to host the outreach vehicle. Mr Cox also attended a meeting at Shebbear College Sports Hall, alongside 300 people from the village, to pledge his support to saving Shebbear Post Office. Said the MP: 'There are many post offices in West Devon and Torridge where the level of research into the local community need, and the quality of decision making by the Post Office, has been woefully inadequate. 'My team and I are working on a written brief for submission on each of them.' l See page 17
