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Frank Dobson MP, centre, joins campaigners who are fighting to keep Crowndale Road post office open |
‘Address the issues,’ says Post Office
Campaigners fighting to keep branches open are urged to make case clear as protests go on
“PERSUADE us that we have got it wrong and we’ll do a u-turn,” Post Office bosses have told customers fighting to save four branches in Camden.
With the clock ticking on a six-week deadline for customers to state the case for keeping their post office open, the borough-wide campaign to save branches in South End Green, Belsize Park, Somers Town and Highgate is gathering pace.
A petition to save Crowndale Road post office has collected more than 2,000 signatures, with a similar number signing up in Belsize Park. Public meetings in Somers Town and South End Green have also been well attended.
But a Post Office spokesman said on Monday: “It is not enough for people to just put their hands up and say they want the post office to stay open. The whole point is not to say ‘I am against it’, but to give reasons why we may have got it wrong to close that particular post office. They need to show us if there are things we have not taken into account, such as where the nearest office branch is. If we have got it wrong, the office could stay open.”
The campaign has fostered cross-party support – a demonstration outside Crowndale Road on Monday was organised by Somers Town Labour councillor Roger Robinson, and among the supporters there were London deputy mayor Nicky Gavron and MP Frank Dobson.
Pensioners Elizabeth Watts and Betty Davies, who went to voice their support, said they would struggle without their post office branch.
Ms Watts, who has lived in Crowndale Court opposite the post office for 40 years, said: “This branch is vital to the area. Not only is it well used but it acts as a focal point for our community.”
And the issue has reached the pulpit of Somers Town vicar Father Bruce Batstone, who works at the Old St Pancras Church.
“The staff deal with people there with care and patience,” said Father Bruce. “If they are shunted off to Camden High Street, they will face huge queues and be under greater pressure as they go about doing things that can be stressful.
“People become known to the staff and they look out for them.”
Ms Gavron echoed his thoughts. She said: “So much work has been done to regenerate Somers Town.
“This would be a massive step in the wrong direction.”
Royal Mail bosses further incensed people in South End Green this week after refusing to attend a public meeting to discuss the closures held at Heath Library on Tuesday. They have also declined an invitation to speak at a meeting in Somers Town.
n Hampstead and Highgate MP Glenda Jackson has set up a survey of customers to present to the Post Office during the consultation period.
Her office has produced a questionnaire for customers to send to the Post Office. Copies are available by calling 020 7219 4008, or email jacksong@parliament.uk |
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