Community leaders in Marchmont have rallied in defense of the Warrender Park Road post office, earmarked for closure by the goverment in the latest round of reforms to the Royal Mail.

Led by local Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Pringle, residents voiced their anger at a public meeting on 9 September, attended by some 300 people.

Speaking after the meeting at St. Giles Church, Mr Pringle said: “Tonight’s massive attendance only serves to further emphasise the depth of feeling in Marchmont against the proposed closure.

“Warrender Park Road provides a vital service to local residents. If this closure goes ahead it is set to hit the elderly, those with mobility problems and the student community particularly hard."

The proposal is part of package of reforms, including the closure of some 2,500 post offices nationally.

Residents attenting the public meeting aired complaints that the alternative post offices at Bruntsfield and Tollcross offer insufficient parking and disabled access facilities; however, based on new criteria introduced by the Department of Trade and Industry in 2007, the area meets the legal requirements for disabled access and the maximum six-mile distance from a post office guaranteed to every British household.

“There is considerable anger at the new access criteria and the effect it will have,” said Fred Mackintosh, Liberal Democrat spokesman for the Edinburgh South Westminster seat.

“I asked who set these criteria and Julia Young of the Royal Mail confirmed that it was the government.”

Campaigners also pointed out that the Warrender Park Road branch was the only one in the area open until 7.30pm on Saturdays.

Mr Mackintosh criticised the government’s policy of post office closures, and attacked Labour’s four Edinburgh MPs for voting in favour of the current reforms.

“Labour MPs made a huge mistake when they backed these closure plans. It is clear that they are out of touch with what local people in Edinbugh really want,” he said.

The local community has already lost a post office in a previous round of closures, with the Marchmont Road branch being shut in 2004.

Mr Pringle said 140 complaints had been recieved by his office, and would be passed on to the Royal Mail. A "Save Our Post Offices" petition has recieved over 2000 signatures.

The MSP encouraged all those interested in the issue to issue their complaints before the 29 September consultation deadline.