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Eileen How and Raymond Softly make their point outside the South End Green post office |
Four post offices set to be closed as protesters’ pleas are ‘ignored’
Campaigners’ anger as branches face axe despite consultation and petitions
THE Post Office yesterday (Wednesday) ignored public unrest and ruled that four of Camden’s branches must close down for good.
Post offices in Englands Lane, Belsize Park, South End Road, South End Green, Highgate High Street, Highgate and Crowndale Road in Somers Town now have just four weeks of trading left.
Author Deborah Moggach, who joined the fight to keep the South End Green branch open, said: “It’s an insane decision. The £150 million a year needed to keep branches open is a drop in the ocean compared to what’s being spent on the Iraq war – and a small price to pay to keep our communities alive.”
Camden Council has tried to broker a deal behind the scenes which might have seen the Town Hall take control of the threatened branches, but it emerged that no “white charger” rescue plan has been agreed.
Council officials have contacted Post Office managers but admitted this week their efforts have so far come to nothing.
The Post Office said discussions with the council are ongoing but are based on the council agreeing to sign a confidentiality agreement – which they have yet to do.
A spokesman said: “We have said to them we are happy to discuss details including financial information, under confirmation of a non-disclosure agreement. We await a response from Camden Council regarding this.”
Around 10,000 people have signed petitions across the borough to keep post offices open.
Pam Gilby, of the South End Green Association, accused the Post Office of wasting people’s time by asking for views and then ignoring them.
“The consultation was a farce,” she said. “They have not listened to a word we have said.”
Eileen How, a retired hospital receptionist aged 80, has lived in South End Green since she was six years old.
She said: “This post office is vital to me. I have arthritis in both legs and could not walk to Hampstead High Street, and find getting on and off buses painful.”
Somers Town Labour councillor Roger Robinson has spearheaded the campaign in the south of the borough. He called on the Town Hall to instigate a judicial review, and added that the decision was particularly disappointing as Somers Town had recently lost a branch.
He said: “A year ago the post office in Royal College Street closed. People were told they could use the Crowndale Road branch instead. Now that has gone and the nearest is in Camden High Street. It is too far for many people to walk and there are always long queues there.
“If you are elderly, it’s just not reasonable to be expected to stand in a queue for 45 minutes.
“We knew they would do whatever they wanted to do. It is all about profits.”
Post Office network manager Anita Turner said: “These difficult decisions have not been taken lightly. We have considered all the comments made during the consultation.
“We believe the plan announced today offers our customers in London the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future.” |
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