Liberal Democrats say no to plans to axe eight Southwark post office closures
February 19, 2008 12:00 AM
Southwark Liberal Democrats have today launched their campaign to fight the latest government threat to Southwark's post offices.
Post office closures in North Southwark and Bermondsey
Post Office Ltd. today announced that it is proposing to close branches all across Southwark, as well as the rest of South London. The Southwark post offices which face the axe are: Dockhead in Bermondsey, Ilderton Road in South Bermondsey, East Street and Maddock Way in Walworth; Nunhead, Peckham Road, the office at 654 Old Kent Road in SE15 and Melbourne Grove in East Dulwich.
Simon Hughes, the MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey, Liberal Democrat GLA candidate for Lambeth and Southwark Cllr Caroline Pidgeon, and Liberal Democrat councillors across the borough started campaigning this morning outside the threatened branches to rally local support against the closures. Simon, Caroline and other councillors will be regularly campaigning outside all threatened post offices in their area and elsewhere in the weeks ahead. They're hoping that strong public opposition will force the post office to change their plans.
These plans are part of a national plan to close up to 2500 post offices, of which 169 threatened offices are in London. The local consultation begins today and will run until 2nd April.
North Southwark and Bermondsey MP Simon Hughes said:
"Local post offices are at the heart of our local communities in Southwark and Bermondsey. They offer a lifeline for so many people and to lose yet more branches will be a huge blow - after the branches we have lost already."
Lambeth and Southwark GLA Liberal Democrat candidate Cllr Caroline Pidgeon added:
"Over the last few years Labour have followed the Conservatives in pursuing policies which have led to the closure of post office branches across Southwark and the rest of South London despite the protests of local residents. I'll be working with local residents to try to stop the loss of any more post offices in our area, where they provide a much needed service to local residents and businesses. "
As well as joining the protests locally and signing the petition which Liberal Democrats are circulating outside offices and on their websites, local residents and businesses are asked to send their views and comments in writing to: Simon Hughes MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA or email him at: simon@simonhughes.org.uk. In addition, Simon and Caroline have called on local residents and businesses to make their views known to Anita Turner, Network Development Manager, c/o National Consultation Team, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM, or email her at: consultation@postoffice.co.uk.
ENDS
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