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Save our Post Offices
I am extremely angry at the proposals to consult on the closure of 14 local Post Offices in Lambeth and Southwark. I recognise the vital role that Post Offices play in the social and economic life of local communities. I am very worried that at a time when we are seeking to regenerate poorer areas of London that local shopping parades will be hit by the loss of an important local service which attracts shoppers to use their local shops and facilities.
I am particularly concerned that the criteria for access to Post Offices has been downgraded in London - previously deprived communities in London had to be within a half mile of a post office. Now this has been reduced to 1 mile. I will be making strong representations to Post Office Ltd and I would encourage any one worried about the impact of losing these post offices to do the same.
The Assembly's Health and Public Services Committee have studied the impact of the loss of post offices and have concluded that Post office services must be easily accessible to all communities and extra protection is needed to prevent closures of branches in urban deprived areas. The Assembly also concluded that Post offices should be more ambitious and innovative in the range of services they provide, and in the way they deliver services.
I know that the Mayor Ken Livingstone has already made a formal response to Government, calling for a halt to the closure of local Post Offices in the capital and opposing proposals to downgrade current criteria on access to Post Offices. He wants a post office within half a mile of 90 per cent of Londoners but the DTI consultation paper suggests that this minimum distance should be changed to one mile.
Please help my campaign by taking my Post Office Survey
Mayor Boris Johnson is carrying out a "value for money assessment" on long standing plans for a new station on Surrey Canal Road.
