The closure of an east Oxford Post Office is set to go ahead next week despite "concern" and "disappointment" from politicians who have blamed the loss on low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs).

Templars Square in Cowley is set to lose its parcel-sending facility on Saturday, May 25 as the Midcounties Co-op store, which hosts it, leaves the area.

Oxford Mail: Templars Square Cowley store.Templars Square Cowley store. (Image: Google Maps.)

A new office will come to the closest viable Co-op location, in Rose Hill.

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Independent Oxford Alliance councillors David Henwood, Ian Yeatman and Anna Stares set up a petition in March entitled 'Save Post Office services in Templars Square Shopping Centre', which has amassed almost 600 signatures.

Cowley councillor Mr Yeatman said: "The closure of the Co-op and Post Office deals another significant blow to Templars Square and its patrons.

Oxford Mail: Ian Yeatman.Ian Yeatman. (Image: Contribution.)

"This will especially impact the elderly and those with limited mobility, who may face challenges accessing essential services provided by the Post Office.

"Additionally, it spells trouble for the remaining businesses, already struggling to survive amidst the reduced foot traffic."

Midcounties chief executive officer Philip Ponsonby said in November last year the closure reflected the long-term trading position of the store and was not connected to the impact of LTNs.

But the previous month, the Midcounties Co-operative said its Iffley Road and Cowley Road stores had seen a downturn in trade because of the controversial traffic calming measures.

As part of consultation with the county council, Co-op bosses revealed the Iffley Road store had seen a 4.6 per cent decrease in trading compared with the previous year, while the Cowley Road store was down 21.13 per cent.

This reduction compared with an average five per cent increase across non-LTN Co-op stores in the same period.

Oxford Mail: Templars Square.Templars Square. (Image: NQ staff)

The other Cowley ward councillor, Amar Latif, of the Independent Group, agreed the "very likely impact of LTNs" had contributed to the closure.

Mr Latif said: "I think it's very disappointing news.

"It is concerning for the future of Templars Square because we've had quite a few shops close in the shopping centre in the last few years.

"I'm hopeful there's an opportunity for an alternative branch."

Oxford Mail: Amar Latif.Amar Latif. (Image: Other.)

Mr Henwood, Rose Hill & Iffley councillor, added: "It's in a central location.

"It serves Blackbird Leys, Cowley, Littlemore and Rose Hill.

"Many people in Cowley won't be able to easily access the Rose Hill one due to the LTN scheme."

Oxfordshire County Council made LTNs permanent in east Oxford last year with the intention of preventing traffic from taking shortcuts through residential areas and making streets safer for walking and cycling.

Oxford Mail: David Henwood.David Henwood. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

But some have blamed the measures for increasing congestion and negatively impacting businesses' trade.

The council says it continues to "monitor the LTNs on a site by site basis and evaluate their impact".