Community Councillor Avril Simpson was among the customers in the morning when she sent off a letter to the Post Office Limited's consultation team.

The package was the conclusion of a highly successful campaign led by the Community Council, in conjunction with the Forfar Dispatch and Kirriemuir Herald.

A questionnaire carried in the papers to gauge public opinion about the proposed closure received a total of 535 responses - and some of the comments made interesting reading.

Mrs Simpson had trawled through the responses, collating the comments which have been forwarded to the consultation team.

The comments were categorised into parking facilities, disabled and pensioners, queuing, ability to cope, attitude of staff, distances and "general".

For parking, seven out of the 25 comments praised the parking facilities at the Dundee Road Post Office, whilst 18 highlighted problems with parking at the main post office.

Disastrous

A total of 57 pensioners spoke out against the closure of the Dundee Road outlet, with one stating it would be "disastrous" for OAPs in the surrounding community.

Another stated: "I think the whole idea to close our Dundee Road Post Office is a disgrace. What about the elderly?", whilst another stated: "The elderly and infirm are hit again - let's have some humanity."

Another resident commented: "I have multiple sclerosis which limits me quite a lot. I pride myself in keeping independence as long as possible.

"If this closure happens, I will not be able to park near to, or stand in queues at the general post office.

"I will therefore have to depend on friends or family to meet my needs, something I am trying to avoid.

"I am sure I am not alone, so I would urge you to think again and give us a favourable conclusion."

In the community council's covering letter, Mrs Simpson stated they found many people, especially the elderly and disabled, had great difficulties with the lack of parking at West High Street Post Office.

"There is only one disabled space on the high street which is situated some distance from the Post Office and involves negotiating several rough terrain pavement kerbs at the entrance to the bank, the church and the Post Office lane.

"Other disabled spaces are to be found at the far edge of the Myre Car Park, which is a good long walk for even the able!

"This is also made impossible for the disabled who have to negotiate a long walk, then up steps from the Myre car park which very rarely has any free spaces!

"Coping with the double doors at West High Street Post Office is impossible for disabled or wheelchair bound.

"The Dundee Road Post Office, on the other hand, has available car parking to the rear of the store, on-street parking with no kerbs to negotiate and automatic doors into the store for wheel chairs and scooters."

Horrendous

Mrs Simpson continued: "According to the responses so far, queuing at the West High Street Post Office is always a problem, with "horrendous" queues waiting for up to half an hour.

"This is not a problem at Dundee Road where staff deal effectively and efficiently with their customers, giving help and advice where necessary.

"Most people voiced concern about the fact they feel West High Street Post Office cannot cope with customer volume now and will certainly not be able to cope with extra customers if Dundee Road Post Office closes.

"One Post Office can't be expected to cope with a growing town like Forfar."

The community council's letter also raised fears for the town should it be left with only one post office.

"Forfar is a developing town with a population of over 13,000 and growing, with more houses being built.

"What is the definitive population number necessary to retain two post offices?

"Having already lost one post office three years ago, when East High Street Post Office was closed, Forfar residents were promised that the West High Street Post Office would have more customer service positions (CSPs) made available as there obviously would be more customers.

"This certainly does not seem to have materialised, judging by the queues.

"There may be five CSPs available but frequently only two are actually open."

Two references were made in the questionnaires to the closure of the Forfar bus garage which would result in a more restricted local bus service for those from the west side of Forfar, which would affect the use of the main post office.

The community council state: "Many of these residents rely on the Dundee Road Post Office which is nearer, more convenient and within reasonable walking distance.

"Business people will be forced to abandon the Post Office altogether and will use another service provider for their business mail if this closure is approved."

The community council asks Post Office Limited to think again about closing the Dundee Road Post Office and to keep it open "for the benefit of the whole of Forfar".

"All in all there is a very high percentage of adverse comments about West High Street Post Office and a very high percentage of positive ones about Dundee Road Post Office.

"Therefore we cannot understand why you should close this Post Office, which appears to be efficient, helpful and friendly."

In conclusion, they state the "Network Change Programme" Appendix appeared to have inaccuracies regarding the so called "level terrain" between branches.

"This level terrain is uphill for most of the distance and disabled parking is more like 500 yards with an uphill struggle for the last part, up steps unsuitable for wheel chairs!"

As well as the 535 questionnaires, the community council has also forwarded a petition signed by 302 residents calling for the retention of the Post Office to the consultation team.

A further 254 pleas for the branch's retention addressed to Alex Salmond and 115 to Gordon Brown have been forwarded to Angus M.P. Mike Weir.