A new post office will mean longer opening hours and better facilities, it was revealed today.

Wickford Post Office is only moving 20 yards down the road - but residents have been promised a much-improved service, especially for the disabled.

The new office, in The Willows, will open on May 12. More counter positions and shorter queues are promised.

The office will open after the current contract with Chelmsford Star Co-op runs out.

Deirdre South, Post Office Limited retail line manager, said: "We are delighted not only to be able to secure the long-term future of our Wickford branch but also to offer our loyal customers improved access to the services they rely on."

The new post office has been designed to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, providing an automatic entrance for wheelchairs and pushchairs as well as a loop system for the hard of hearing and a low-level writing desk.

Regular users will have to find alternative post offices from Thursday, May 8, to Monday, May 12, as the relocation takes place.

The new post office will open half an hour earlier from Monday to Thursday, allowing residents to use it from 8.30am.

Mrs South said: "In taking such an important step, we would naturally like to hear the views of local people on the relocation."

Anyone wishing to comment should write to Deirdre South, Retail Line Manager, Post Office Ltd, c/o National Consultation Team, PO Box 641, St Albans, AL1 5XN.

Published Wednesday, April 16, 2003

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