CONCERNED residents have raised issues over the proposed changes to a post office.

As previously reported in The Gazette , the post office in George Street, Kingsclere is under threat of being closed, with the services being move d into the Swan Street Stores from an open-plan till at the retail counter of the store.

Residents and councillors believe moving the service to Swan Street would cause issues of access and add more traffic to an already busy road.

The post office is holding a public consultation until September 23 so residents can pose any issues they have with the proposed change.

At a Kingsclere Parish Council meeting on Monday evening, the general consensus was many residents wished for the service to remain.

Chairman of the parish council, Cllr John Sawyer said: “We really want everyone in the village to have the opportunity to comment.

“Residents have raised their concerns about access and parking to the Swan Street store, unfortunately it is a medieval street with 21st century problems.

“On the other hand, the store would have longer opening hours which would help people following a working day but we are yet to see any plans of what the layout would be.”

The proposed changes would see the counter service open seven days-a-week, meaning it would be open extra 59 hours.

The move would be with the agreement of the current postmaster as part of a major modernisation programme.

Ward councillor Ken Rhatigan said: “It is a concern that a sorting office and a second counter maybe lost, but this consultation will give people the chance to tell the post office what they want from the service.”

Will Russell, regional network manager at the Post office said: “We are making it easier for customers to get their cash, send and collect their mail and do their banking.”

Residents can submit comments to the consultation via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk or call 03457 22 33 44.