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Protesters save seven post offices from axe
Jonathan Prynn, Consumer Affairs Editor07.05.08
Seven London post offices have been spared the axe following angry protests against their closure.
However, Royal Mail said today it will press ahead with plans to shut 155 local branches across the capital from next month.
The final decision on the fate of London's 850 branch network was announced this morning following six weeks of consultation.
The seven branches that will now stay open are: Kenyon Street, Fulham; Kingston Road, Wimbledon; Lambeth Walk, Kennington; Page Green, south Tottenham; Shepherd's Bush Road, Hammersmith; Starch Green, Shepherd's Bush and Warrior Square, Manor Park.
Consultation on a further branch, Formosa Street, Maida Vale, has been extended until the end of this month.
Six more have won at least a temporary stay of execution as the decision to close them is under review. They are Bollo Bridge Road, Acton; Chingford Road, Waltham Forest; Forest Road, Waltham Forest; Gipsy Road, West Norwood; Masterman Road, East Ham and Orford Road, Walthamstow.
In addition the planned closure of the Crown post office in Essex Road, Islington, will now not go ahead as the Post Office is in talks with a retailer about franchising the branch.
The Standard revealed yesterday that the decision to keep the Starch Green branch open came after local campaigners pointed out that it served a block of 50 flats for the visually impaired.
In its announcement today the Post Office admitted that residents of Pocklington Lodge "would be severely disadvantaged if the Starch Green Post Office closed".
Hammersmith and Fulham has been the biggest beneficiary of the consultation with three proposed closures in the borough repealed. Local MP Greg Hands said: "I am delighted that the Post Office has seen sense and decided against three of these closures. Local people have had their voices heard.
"I am of course pleased that my own meeting with Post Office bosses, where I presented a detailed case on both Kenyon Street and Shepherds Bush Road, seems to have helped persuade them.
"This is all good news, but frankly the Government shouldn't have been pushing through this closure programme in the first place."
The closures will leave London served by just 688 post offices.
Anita Turner, the Post Office's Network Development Manager for London, said: "These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly. We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation.
"We believe the amended plan announced today offers our customers the best prospect for the sustainable network in the future, bearing in mind the Government's minimum access criteria and other factors the Government has asked us to consider."
Reader views (4)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Labour policies are very tight and difficult for a normal earning person still no relief.
Soon we will get rid from you.
- Adnan Ashad, Croydon
Our post offices in Walthamstow get used regularly, by people who find it harder to get to the high street, even if it is only five minutes away- it's five minutes by able body. Twenty minimum by slow foot, walking stick or pregnant. We need our local post offices open! And what is worse- walthamstow's lates addition is a new mall to be built on the corner of the high street which will be adding another post office within 100 meters of the high street one- what's the point. What are they closing down the post offices for if they can clearly open up new unnecessary ones?!
- All-Ford Road Post Office, London
Dear sir/madam clapham hi. street sw4 still going to be closed its not fair i work at news agent shop at the same premisses we will be out of business and many post office customer will be loosing there local post service please if possible let them think about closer. Many shops will be out of business and think about employer how they will set up there new job.
- Sanjay Patel, london
Still 'listening' are you Gordon?
See you on the other (opposition) side...
- Gary B, London, UK
