MANY local communities in Ealing and Acton are in shock at the news that their local post office is to close.
In my constituency a total of seven will go - and another three around the edges - more than twice the average across London. Every closure is its own tragedy.
Post Office Limited has tried to make clear that the closures are non-negotiable - and, regrettably, I fear that many will close. But I do believe that it is worth challenging the decisions. Firstly, nowhere in London is seeing such a cull of the post office network.
A spirited campaign is being fought by Mrs Chadda, the postmistress of the Boileau Parade office. More than most, this office caters for an elderly population including nursing homes and sheltered housing residents. Labour councillors in South Acton are leading a campaign to save Bollo Bridge Road office. This is the only branch serving the South Acton Estate, an area whose deprivation levels should make keeping its post office a priority - according to the company's own criteria. Petitions and representations are also coming in from Churchfield Road and Haven Green, proving there is no such thing as an unwanted post office.
Secondly, Post Office Ltd has made some basic errors in what it says about its own offices. These range from underestimating the hours they open and the services they provide to ignoring the disabled access and convenient public transport which makes them especially useful to elderly and less mobile people. They have even named two branches as alternatives which are themselves either already closed or under threat.
Post Office Ltd bosses are coming to answer questions today (Thursday) at a public meeting I have called on the Acton/Shepherds Bush border at Askew Road Church in Askew Road, starting at 7pm. Please add your voice to the growing campaign to save our local post offices. We have until April 2 to object.
Write to: Anita Turner, Network Development Manager, Post Office Ltd, c/o National Consultation Team, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM or email consultation@postoffice.co.uk
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