CIVIC and business leaders are worried a two-week closure of the main post office in Devizes will leave elderly people in the lurch and cause traffic problems in other areas of town.

The Post Office in Sainsbury’s will be closed from August 5-19 for a major refit.

Work coincides with a revamp of the supermarket but Sainsbury’s will only close its doors to customers from August 11 to 19.

Devizes deputy town clerk Simon Fisher said: “This is going to be a major inconvenience for people and we have been given very little notice of what is going to happen.

“It will not be easy for the elderly people and those who rely on the Post Office for business.”

He is worried about traffic congestion in Bath Road if people decide to use the sub Post Office in the Spa shop.

Mr Fisher said: “We have had concerns about the traffic and people trying to cross the road in the past and this could add to the problem.”

Shop owner Derek Tinnion said: “There are two counters and all that can be done is for them to be open all the time as much as possible.

“There is only limited parking and it could be that I lose customers to the shop. I rely on passing trade and if it is chaotic they might not stop.”

Sub postmaster Richard Walker said: “We only have one counter and we will serve people as quickly as we can. That is all we can do. We have three parking spaces outside the shop but there is more parking around the corner.”

Vicki Gaiger, a senior volunteer at Alzheimer’s Support in Sidmouth Street, said she was worried about the length of the closure and how it would affect carers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and sufferers.

She said: “Carers are usually a husband or wife and many are elderly so it will be difficult for some of them to travel further afield.

“Some of our clients who still manage on their own have a very good relationship with Post Office staff who know their needs. It is going to be very difficult for them for it to be closed for two weeks.”

Town councillor and shop owner John Parker, who is chairman of Sidmouth Street Traders Association, said: “I think this could cause a lot of problems. I use a private firm to send my parcels but there are often queues out of the door at the Post Office in Sainsbury’s.”

Town councillor Nigel Carter was also concerned.

He said: “There are a number of people I see in there on a regular basis with a large number of parcels. It will also be difficult for elderly people who might not drive and won’t be able to walk to the alternative offices.”

Coun Judy Rose, who has campaigned about road safety in Bath Road in the past, said: “I foresee problems in Salisbury Street because there is precious little parking space as it is.”

The Post Office, which is advising customers to travel to Seend, said the modernisation work was essential as it wanted for modernisation work and the counter would open seven days a week and an extra 23 hours after the refit.

Area manager Alan Ridoutt, Post Office area manager, said: “The investment marks a commitment to no more branch closures.”