A petition to stop the closure of a community’s mail office has gained over 500 signatures in one week.

Residents are fighting the closure of the Royal Mail’s sorting office in Marlborough Road, South Woodford, after the company said it may be moved to Chingford.

Nat Pabla, who started the online and print petitions, said if the office closes those who will suffer most are the elderly and disabled.

Ms Pabla, of Grove Hill, South Woodford said: “I don’t see any reason for it to close, with the growing population of South Woodford, and I was astounded when I heard the news.

“It will impact everyone in South Woodford but it will be very inconvenient for the elderly, disabled and those with young children.

“The office is used by people on their way to the station in the morning and even though Royal Mail said they will deliver to homes, the people will be at work.

“I would be delighted if the council got behind this and supported us and if people wrote to Royal Mail asking them not to close the office.”

Councillor for Roding, Gwyneth Deakins, echoed Ms Pabla’s comments about the office which has been open for 60 years.

She said she will be bringing the issue up at Redbridge Council meeting on Thursday, November 17.

She said: “Commuting on the bus from South Woodford to Chingford is a nightmare because they are not very regular and even if people have their own cars, parking in Chingford is extremely difficult.

“It will take a huge effort for elderly and disabled people to get there and it is just out of the question.

“It will be a huge blow to everyone if the office closes and I will be questioning the council at next week’s meeting about this.”

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: “Royal Mail needs to find a new site for its South Woodford delivery operations as the current delivery office has insufficient parking for Royal Mail vehicles or for safely moving mail around the site.

“There is sufficient space at Chingford delivery office to incorporate our South Woodford delivery operations and vehicles on site, improve services to our customers and provide better facilities for our people.”

To sign the online petition click here.