A shake-up of postal services in villages across South Perthshire is causing “upheaval” for locals, it has been claimed.
Outreach branches at Braco, Bankfoot and St Fillans are under threat as part of a Post Office review.
The three communities have been served by a mobile service operating from Methven, but it has been confirmed that this service is now being brought to a close.
As a temporary measure, the current postmaster from Methven has agreed to provide a service at a Braco convenience store on Mondays only from 9.30-11.30am. This will run until the end of February, while Post Office bosses work on a permanent solution.
A short-term service has also been set up at Murthly for customers in and around Bankfoot, while the St Fillans mobile service has been taken on by new operators at Strathyre.
Local MP Gordon Banks said: “I am concerned at the upheaval that these changes will have on my constituents living in Braco, St Fillans, Bankfoot and the surrounding areas.
“Whilst it is clear that effort has been made in order to offer a level of temporary cover to compensate for these changes it does appear to be merely a sticking plaster over a much larger wound, with all three solutions being temporary and Braco seeing a service reduction as well.
“Rural communities are reliant on their post office and the services it provides and I am committed to working with everyone concerned to look at ways in which a more sustainable permanent solution can be provided.”
It’s the second major review of postal services in rural Perthshire in recent months.
A consultation was launched earlier this winter on proposals for new stops at Culross, Limekilns and Newmills. The move is expected to impact on communities in Abernethy, Glenfarg, Kinnesswood and Muckhart.
A Post Office spokeswoman said: “The Post Office understands the importance of outreach and mobile services we provide to remote communities and does everything possible to ensure there is no interruption to service.”
She added: “The postmaster at Methven Post Office will continue to provide an outreach service to Braco until the end of February, on Monday 9.30am-11.30am, while we find an alternative solution.”