I write further to my previous letter regarding the temporary closure of Dunbar Post Office for refurbishment from February 23 to March 9.

Over the last week there has been much activity on the matter after I alerted local councillors, MSPs, Fiona O’Donnell MP and the press to the planned closure.

What has been evident is the poor communication by the Royal Mail area management with the local community.

The refurbishment must have been planned for a long time and thus there could have been dialogue e.g. with the council on a temporary facility to arrange a smooth continuation of service. The local staff were willing to man this.

Although I received a letter on behalf of Dunbar Community Council, I understand from their chairman that West Barns Community Council had no notification of the closure, although West Barns, having seen the closure of its own Post Office, is also affected by it. Fiona O’Donnell as MP had not been informed.

What has also been evident is the difficulty of making contact with the area management, with a multi-layered options telephone menu that led to a customer service handler who had not heard of the area manager who had sent the letter to Dunbar Community Council.

Emails to a general contacts point get an automated reply that they will be dealt with within 10 days. The Royal Mail website is not user friendly.

In the end, Councillor Veitch got a contact address by going into Dunbar Post Office.

Fiona O’Donnell has now written to the area manager with her concerns. In addition, Tom Shearer, head of communities and partnerships at ELC, has written to area manager David Forsyth, who is based in Plymouth, to offer temporary use of a counter within the Bleachingfield Centre. A response from Royal Mail is awaited.

The expectation that customers should travel to East Linton or Haddington during the closure is not good enough. Public transport is limited and expensive.

In addition, disability access at Haddington is difficult due to steps. A wheelchair-using friend has advised me that those who cannot get up the steps may have to be served on the pavement. She has previously had to do this.

It is hoped that Royal Mail area management will accept the ELC offer. However, the clock is ticking before the closure starts on February 23.

Jacquie Bell High Street Belhaven