 |
 |
 |
 |
Burstow backs Postwatch response to post office closure plans
November 1, 2004 7:09 PM
Paul Burstow MP for Sutton and Cheam has added his support to the findings of consumer watchdog Postwatch's response to the Post Office Ltd plans to close local post offices.
Postwatch specifically urged that closure plans for Stonecot Hill, Belmont and Cheam post office be called off.
Last week Paul Burstow submitted a report to Post Office Ltd detailing his response to their consultation, after receiving over 400 letters from local people and face to face talks with many local businesses located nearby the post offices marked for closure. His report called for all six of the post offices in Sutton and Cheam designated for closure to be saved.
Postwatch, in line with Paul Burstow's report, concluded that closure plans may have a damaging impact on the trading viability of local shops and businesses and threaten their continued existence, and Postwatch's view that plans are not based on a long-term strategic view but on sub-postmaster preference.
Paul Burstow MP said:
"Elderly and disabled people will have to travel further to use post office services. Local businesses will incur extra costs and inconvenience. The vitality and viability of the shopping parades in which the branches are situated will be harmed by their closure.
"The plans to close six sub-post offices in my constituency are poorly thought out and show a lack of knowledge of the area. The Post Offices' consultation is not strategic - it is little more than a drawing together of a series of piecemeal closures into a single consultation.
Kay Dixon, chair of Greater London Postwatch, added:
"The closure of Stonecot Hill, Belmont and Cheam Post Office Branches will inconvenience many people, and people may no longer have a post office within walking distance of their homes.
"Customers have expressed concern that as well as easy access to post office goods and services, these branches have an important social aspect as they offer a chance for people to check on the frailer members of society. In addition, customers are aware that such closures will have a wider impact on their social, economic and green environment.
"Most of the proposed closures are in small shopping precincts and the closure of a nearby post office may impact their trading viability and threaten their continued existence, whilst in some cases customers are being asked to make journeys that they would not otherwise make, causing unnecessary pollution."
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats
-
Help out or donate
-
Tell us what you think