WALTHAM FOREST: Post Office closure plans slammed (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAM FOREST: Post Office closure plans slammed

8:39am Wednesday 20th February 2008

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LOCAL politicians and residents have spoken out against the planned closure of post office branches.

The Post Office wants to close 169 branches in London.

Six in Waltham Forest face the axe and people have six weeks to register their views on the plan.

London Assembly member Jennette (correct) Arnold, who represents north east London, including Waltham Forest, said; "I am very worried that at a time when we are seeking to regenerate poorer areas of London, traders will be hit by the loss of an important local service which attracts shoppers and business.

"I am dismayed at the proposals to consult on the closure of 15 local post offices in my constituency.

"I recognise the vital role that Post Offices play in the social and economic life of local communities and am particularly concerned that the criteria for access to Post Offices has been downgraded.

"Previously, deprived communities in London had to be within a half mile of a Post Office. This has now been reduced to one mile.

"I will be making strong representations to Post Office Ltd and would encourage anyone worried about the impact of losing these vital local services to do the same."

Waltham Forest Liberal Democrat Cllr John Beanse has campaigned against post office closures in the past, including being part of an unsuccessful bid to save the Sewardstone Road branch.

Cllr Beanse rejected the argument that post offices should be cut because more people are using other means to carry out their business, such as the internet He said: "A post office is a valuable asset for a community to have.

"Closing them would be cutting out a whole chunk of the population who are not able to go online or have no wish to."

Under the plans the branches in Hall Lane, Chingford, Grove Green Road, Leytonstone and Leyton High Road will close.

Three branches in Walthamstow, in Forest Road, Orford Road and Chingford Road, also face the axe.

RESIDENTS in Walthamstow Village have reacted with outrage at the news that their local post office in Orford Road may close.

Mother Kate Williams said: "It is absolutely disgusting."

"This area has such a buzz about it, and the post office is an essential part of that.

"It's so useful for things like Ebay, and I've just bought my son some James Bond stamps."

Dental Technician Garry Gibbs said: "I'm appalled.

"It's going to make business harder because I'll have further to go."

"It just makes life even more unbearable."

He added: "People's livelihoods are going to go. It's a meddling bureaucracy we're suffering from."

Andrew Cornwell, who lives minutes away from the post office, said: "I'm very disappointed.

"The other one here on Orford Road closed two or three years ago.

"Now it will be even more difficult."

"I've just got some foreign currency here, it's very useful. I'm not pleased at all."

He added: "I've got two legs and I can walk well but who knows, in five years time I might not be able to, it may be difficult."

Another local resident Jo Bridger said: It's really infuriating. All of the other post offices round here have huge queues."

Her friend Rosie Massey added: "It's a real pain.

"It will be hard on pensioners and parents. The central post office (Walthamstow) already is massively overused."

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