Local Lib Dems Anger at Post Office Closures

3.22.00pm GMT Thu 21st Feb 2008

The Labour Government have played a major role in transferring traditional services away from the Post Office counter, often against customers wishes.

Liberal Democrats in Waltham Forest have reacted with anger to the news that six Post Offices in Waltham Forest face the axe.

169 London Post Offices are under threat as part of the programme of closures, with Walthamstow alone set to lose three outlets, at Chingford Road, Forest Road and Orford Road. Facilities in Grove Green Road, Leytonstone, and at 674 Leyton High Road are also recommended for closure.

The Liberal Democrats have revealed that Londoners are already suffering from a lack of Post Office facilities. Census data analysed by the party has revealed that, in the UK as a whole, there is one post office for every 3,860 people, but in London that figure rises to over 8,460.

Walthamstow Liberal Democrats have been leading a high-profile protest against the closures, with London Mayoral candidate Brian Paddick and GLA candidate Meral Ece recently joining Farid Ahmed and the Walthamstow team in the campaign against possible local closures.

The Liberal Democrats have urged local residents to make their feelings known about the potential loss of these facilities.

Your local Liberal Democrats say:

"The loss of such vital community facilities is simply unacceptable.

"Local Post Offices provide a valued service to some of our most vulnerable residents, such as those with mobility issues. Under this programme of cuts, one-fifth of London's Post Office network is likely to closed.

The Walthamstow team have also been quick to note the Government's role in the potential closures.

"It is misleading for the Government to suggest that there is simply no longer a natural business case for local Post Offices. The same Labour Government have played a major role in transferring traditional services away from the Post Office counter, often against customers wishes.

"Post Offices provide more than just a single business - they often act as the lycnhpin in areas where there are other small shops. Such local facilities provide the glue which binds many communities together, and the Liberal Democrats will continue to fight to ensure that they are protected.