Detailed submissions handed in as consultation period ends
Hammersmith Council and Shepherd’s Bush MP Andy Slaughter handed in detailed arguments against post office closures this week as the public consultation periodcame to an end.
The council says that as well as giving a
blow-by-blow account to Post Office bosses of why each of the
proposed closures is flawed, it has suggested that Askew Road library could be used to house a post office counter.
Councillor Paul Bristow, Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: “Unfortunately, residents and the council can do no more. The council has argued in minute detail why we think each of these closures is misguided. The ball is now firmly in the Post Office's court”.
Shepherd’s Bush MP Andy Slaughter said his submission centred on the fact that his area was particularly badly affected: “In relation to the overall impact of closures, we ar disproportionately hit,” he said. “You would expect two or three post offices to close but I’ve got seven closing in my constituency. I’m asking them to look againbased on this”.
He said that if all the proposed closures went ahead, fivebranches in a row would disappear. “Some are going toclose but you can’t leave the stretch from Shepherd’s Bush down to North End road without a single post office,” he said.
The campaign to save local post offices has included a series of public meetings and petitions signed by thousands of residents.
The three W12 branches earmarked for closure are: 68 Askew Road, 88 Goldhawk Road and Starch Green at 7 Kings Parade, also on Askew Road. In neighbouring W14,146 Shepherds Bush Road is also on the list.
The independent watchdog for postal services, Postwatch,says the Shepherds Bush Road branch is one of the top five closures it is most worried about in London.
"We visited every post office we had
worries about and we still have serious concerns about 146 Shepherds
Bush Road. We will weigh up all the information but our experience has been that a couple of proposals will be withdrawn -
but you're probably talking single figures," said
Postwatch’s Greater London Chairman, Roger Darlington.
The threatened branches are part of a national programme that will see more than 2,500 post officesaxed.
Under Government rules, the Post Office now has until the end of April to respond to the submissions.
Yasmine Estaphanos
April 7, 2008
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