Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine has warned of the community impact of the proposed closure of a Royal Bank of Scotland branch in the village of Newbridge. This branch is set to close on 2 October 2024, after which the closest branch to local residents will be nearly five miles away in Corstorphine, or in Kirkliston’s Post Office, two miles away.
The closure comes as part of a round of changes by RBS’ parent company, NatWest, which will see 20% of their physical branches close their doors.
Ms Jardine says this will be “another blow” for the community, and will be contacting constituents to ask for their views.
Ms Jardine said: “I am deeply worried that this will be another blow to the Newbridge community,Â
“Many residents have written to me with concerns about the closure of local facilities and community spaces, as well as cuts to bus routes, which will make it harder for my constituents to get to their nearest alternative branches.
“We all know that banking is changing, but many older people especially rely on these local services to get by, and I am concerned they may feel more isolated as a result of closures.
“I will be writing to residents in Newbridge in the coming days to seek their views on the changes, and asking RBS to ensure that alternative arrangements are made so no one is left out.”
The Leith branch is also due to close the following week, and the local MP Deidre Brock has expressed her disquiet at the move which will leave only three branches in Edinburgh plus a mobile banking branch.
Picture Alan Simpson
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
