Local politicians are urging the Chief Minister to order a review of the Post Office and the way it is closing some outlets.

The request follows the Post Office’s decision to close the counter service in Ballasalla and replace it with a self-service kiosk.

Residents expressed their alarm at two public meetings and a petition was signed by 800 people to reconsider the decision.

Last Thursday the Post Office said it would appoint a partner to provide an ’enhanced offering’ to what it originally proposed by way of a more personal service trial.

But pensions and benefits would have to be paid into a bank account or cashed in at another post office, such as the one in nearby Castletown.

Malew Commissioners’ clerk, Barry Powell, has written to Chief Minister Howard Quayle on behalf of the local authority.

He urged him to intervene in the Post Office’s ’insatiable appetite’ to close down the counter service in Ballasalla.

He added: ’The ferociousness, speed and some say, underhanded way this is being undertaken is alarming.’

A large part of the community ’is elderly and/or vulnerable, and this issue is causing them considerable stress,’ he added.

The island’s sense of community spirit has been replaced by the philosophy ’if it isn’t making a large profit then it should be disposed of’.

The biggest issue is benefits payments.

’A family living on the bread line would find it hard to find the bus fare to travel to Castletown.’

Payment into a bank account would be monthly, meaning payment in arrears.

Families and pensioners living within an already tight budget could be forccd to take out high interest loans to fill the gap, he suggested.

’The Post Office justifies its actions under the Tynwald-approved strategic recommendation and seems focused on bullet point 1 (remain financially efficient, managing costs in line with revenues, supporting the overall aim of remaining financially self-sustaining) to the detriment of the other five points.’

The authority requested the Post Office’s decision ’is suspended pending a review and the wider implications for everyone are addressed’.

He said: ’If we are to keep our vulnerable safe and our communities vibrant, we need to stop this now.’

This is an island-wide issue, he added.

’(It) affects the very heart of our communities and way of life on our island ... urgent action should be taken to stop all post office counter closures until an inclusive island survey and review is conducted.’

A review could pave the way for a new Post Office Bill and ’common sense’ replace ’the blinkered concentration on shutting the services down’, he suggested.

In October the Post Office board said the loss-making network of 22 retail outlets was not sustainable and it would be impossible to maintain it in its current size and form.

It said that with losses climbing from the current £1.17m to a forecast £1.73m by 2023-24, action had to be taken before it reached a ’financial precipice’.