South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has renewed his calls for a permanent solution to be found for Eastriggs Post Office.

Currently a mobile service is available in Eastriggs, with the van now being parked in the Wayside Car Park (see post from Cllr Sean Marshall below) on Tuesdays between 2.15 and 4.15 pm and Fridays between 11.15 am and 1.15 pm.

However, Colin Smyth has vowed to continue to fight for a more permanent solution for the town.

Eastriggs is one of four local branches which closed after CJ Lang confirmed those post offices will no longer operate out of their SPAR stores in August and September.

Colin Smyth said: “While the mobile post office is currently providing services in Eastriggs, we really need a permanent solution.

“For the past couple of months, I have been working with local councillors, several local businesses and groups to find solutions to the Post Office closures in their areas. There have been a number of very positive responses in other areas but so far we still need businesses or organisations to come forward in the Eastriggs area with proposals for the long term.

“There is still a lot of anger over the decision by CJ Lang to pull the plug on these services in some of the Spar shops they own, especially given that these are all profitable, viable Post Office counters. However, CJ Lang isn’t prepared to discuss changing their position so we now need to find alternatives.

“I am hopeful that we can find Eastriggs post office a new home, or at the very least the Post Office will provide this outreach service on a long term basis.

“However, a lot of work still needs to be done and we need the help of local businesses and the community to ensure we don’t lose these services. This is particularly true in Eastriggs.

“Having a Post Office in the community is vital for so many of my constituents, particularly those who are older or people who can’t travel easily.”