Duncan Borrowman condemns Foots Cray Post Office closure plan

12.18.00pm GMT Tue 19th Feb 2008

Liberal Democrat campaigners have condemned plans announced today by Royal Mail to close Foots Cray Post Office.

Old Bexley & Sidcup Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary candidate Duncan Borrowman said "This Post Office is a key service for the local community in Foots Cray. Royal Mail's own figures show over 500 people a week using the services provided. The alternatives suggested by Royal Mail are totally unsuitable, especially for pensioners and the disabled, suggesting people either go to Bedensfield Branch in North Cray, which has a step to the entrance or go to the main branch in Sidcup. They say the journey to Sidcup is 'mainly level' terrain, overlooking the long steep climb up Sidcup Hill."

The Bexley & Bromley Lib Dem London Assembly candidate Tom Papworth added:

"The axe is already set to fall on the Accident & Emergency and Maternity services at Queen Mary's Hospital, just 1½ miles away, now local residents face the loss of their local Post Office too. This is comes as a massive blow to the local community."

Liberal Democrat Mayoral Candidate Brian Paddick has condemned the proposed closure of 169 post offices in the Greater London area, saying:

"Post offices are at the heart of local communities and we must do our utmost to preserve them.

"The trouble with economic arguments is they leave people out of the equation.

"People rely on their local services and to suggest closing a fifth of all post offices in London shows a complete disregard for the needs of the local population."

To object to the proposals:

Email the national consultation team at consultation@postoffice.co.uk

or

Write to them (no stamp required) at:

Anita Turner

Network Development Manager

C/o National Consultation Team

FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM

Explain how much you use Foots Cray Post Office and how difficult it will be for you to get to another branch.