Local Post Offices are important for residents in our community, providing a real lifeline for many to access essential services and stay in touch while we’ve all had to stay apart during this pandemic.

Given the important role post offices play, it’s disappointing that the Wombwell branch is due to close this month, while services have not been reinstated in Hoyland and Darfield more than a year after they closed.

After my recent letter to the Post Office about this, I’m pleased that some progress has been made.

A new postmaster has been appointed in Hoyland with the aim of reinstating services later this year.

In Darfield, the Post Office have received an application for a new branch, although this is currently at a very early stage.

While I welcome this promising news in Hoyland and Darfield, I am concerned at the length of time residents have been without these vital services, and at the further loss of the branch in Wombwell.

The Post Office have assured me that they are currently looking at options to reopen a post office in Wombwell.

I will continue to push for more progress on this in the months ahead.

The Post Office services which people rely on must be reinstated in Hoyland, Darfield and Wombwell as soon as possible.