AROUND 400 Maesycwmmer residents have signed a petition to provide an alternative post office in the village ahead of the closure of its current office.

The post office at Milford House on West Avenue, a privately-owned building, is set to close on February 11.

David Carroll, the temporary sub postmaster currently running the branch, said although residents have accepted the closure of this post office branch, the village desperately needs a replacement as it provides a vital service to residents.

“Around 300-400 people have signed the petition to keep the service in the area,” he said.

“They [the residents] do need an office here as it is one of the busiest ones. I know the Post Office is trying to get a mobile office.”

Maesycwmmer Labour councillor Robin Woodyatt, social services cabinet member for Caerphilly council,said the elderly residents depend on the post office services and would have to rely on inconvenient buses to take them to an alternative branch.

“It is imperative that we keep the post office in the village,” he said.

A Post Office spokesman said, “Maesycwmmer post office will temporarily close on February 11 due to the withdrawal of the premises being available for post office use.

“We would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience this temporary closure may cause.

“We are committed to provide post office services in the community and our local field team are already working hard on finding alternative ways of delivering post office services.

“We are working with local councillors to identify possible locations for a replacement service.

“Once the branch closes then customers can use any other branch for service with Hengoed and Ystrad Mynach branches being the closest”.