THE Post Office has been accused of “dragging its feet” in getting replacement facilities back into Wimborne town centre after the fire on July 4.

And MP Robert Walter has pledged to pursue BT for quicker action, after being told that a temporary Post Office counter would not be installed until the end of October.

At the latest council meeting, chairman Michael Hodkinson said he had no criticism of McColls, whose newsagent was home to the Post Office branch.

“It seems to be the Post Office who are dragging their feet on this matter. I note the reply to the clerk’s letter. It is a masterclass at saying nothing,” he said.

At a meeting attended by all parties bar the Post Office, McColl’s insisted that thorough investigations were undertaken within 48 hours of the fire to find a new temporary base, but nothing fitting their criteria of size, length of lease and feasible cost was found.

They want the installation of a portable Post Office, which they are funding, and the original Post Office and store back in business by July 2010.

Mr Walter also met Post Office representatives, and handed over the 2,654-signture petition demanding the Post Office reinstate services in Wimborne without further delay.

Mr Walter said he was concerned about the time it was taking.

“There seem to be two problems – the legal situation regarding their lease of that piece of the car park and the communications with BT being able to install the necessary lines for them to operate their terminals,” he said.

He said the diocese had signed paperwork but BT had quoted 13 weeks for the work.

He pledged to press the BT chief executive for faster action.

“I’m hopeful that sometime in September we will have a post office back in Wimborne,” he added.

Royal Mail said all efforts were being directed to preparing the temporary, four-counter position Post Office on the King Street car park.

The vehicle will have to reverse into place so the road will be closed temporarily for delivery.

A temporary postal box is expected to go into place outside Scrivens opticians by the end of this week.