A post office service will return to Brynaman – that was the message from Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards after he met with representatives of the Post Office at his Ammanford constituency office.

Mr Edwards received confirmation that the Post Office was fully committed to re-opening a service in the village and was informed that representatives were actively looking for a new location with a tender process likely to begin very soon.

The meeting was set up to discuss the recent closure, and Mr Edwards said, to gain a fuller understanding of the future of the post office network throughout Carmarthenshire.

Following the meeting the MP said Westminster legislation driving the so-called ‘transformation’ of the network was “undoubtedly a one-size-fits-all policy which could have untold consequences on small community services in more rural areas”.

Mr Edwards said: “That the Post Office is committed to retaining a service in the area is very welcome indeed, and will come as a big relief to the scores of residents who are currently forced to pay taxi fares in order to get their pensions.

“The Post Office representatives visited Brynaman to gage interest in hosting a future service. I know they were pleased by the positive response they received, and have told me they will now be starting the process of securing a new location.

“I raised the prospect of a temporary mobile service coming to the area in the meantime, but was informed that this part-time coverage could then potentially become a permanent solution – something I know residents are keen to avoid.

“Regrettably this process isn’t going to be completed overnight. But I am encouraged to have secured a commitment that a full service will return to the area.”