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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 18 April 2008

Post offices under threat

A PETITION protesting against plans to close three post offices in Islington has collected more than 400 signatures.
Post Office chiefs want to close Blackstock Road post office on the borders of Islington and Hackney as part of the Labour government’s programme, which plans to reduce the network by 2,500 offices.
Two sub-post offices in the King’s Cross and Holloway ends of Caledonian Road and are also under threat.
Lib Dem Councillor Laura Willoughby and Councillor Meral Ece have launched a petition against the planned closures .
Highbury East ward Cllr Laura Willoughby said: “The message from Highbury residents about the Labour government’s move to close our post office is loud and clear – don’t do it.
“Labour have refused to listen to local residents up to now on post offices – Islington has seen 10 close since 2000.
“Now Labour have even refused to change their minds when they voted in Parliament on March 19 against suspending the closure programme.”
A Crown post office in Essex Road is also under threat under a separate programme of closures – though the independent postal services watchdog, Postwatch, has objected to the proposed closure.
Postwatch said that changes in the Crown post office network are needed to address the huge financial losses the Post Office currently makes, but feels the closure of the Islington branch as well as a Crown post office in Ludgate Circus in the City will leave customers without adequate access to services.
Islington Council leader, Councillor James Kempton, has written to the Post Office’s chief executive, Adam Crozier, calling on them to try out the route from Essex Road post office to branches in Upper Street and Highbury Corner which pensioners and disabled residents would have to walk if it closes.

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