Hughes calls for sense on Southwark post offices
April 28, 2010 3:50 PM
Simon Hughes, parliamentary candidate for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, today visited the site of the old Maddock Way Post Office to launch a campaign to have it reopened.
Simon has written frequently to Alan Cook, the Managing Director of Post Office Ltd, about the closures of Post Offices in Southwark. Since the closure of Maddock Way Post Office the office on Camberwell New Road has also been closed. Queues at the main office on Walworth Road have increased further and a survey of customers carried out by Simon has highlighted great dissatisfaction with the service.
Since discussing the problem with local residents and with the former manager of Maddock Way Post Office Victoria Onayemi, Simon has written to Alan Cook once again about the possibility of reopening the Post Office. Though yet to receive a reply, Simon is hopeful of a positive response.
Hughes today met at the site of the old office with local residents, Ms Onayemi, local Liberal Democrat AM Caroline Pidgeon, and local Liberal Democrat councillors and council candidates to launch the campaign and a petition for local residents. Though unable to attend today, Brandon Tenants and Residents Association secretary Jeff Barnet has pledged his full support for the campaign.
Simon said in his letter to Mr Cook:
"Given the closure of the Camberwell New Road office and the difficulties which Walworth Road has in coping with demand, it seems to that a simple solution would be to reopen the office in Maddock Way. There is someone willing to run it and I am sure it would be sustainable given the high demand in the local area."
Notes
Below is the letter Simon sent to Alan Cook, Managing Director, Post Office Ltd
Post Offices in Walworth, SE17
I write, once again, about post offices in my constituency, particularly in the Walworth area. As you know, I have had serious concerns about the impact of post office closures on the main post office in Walworth Road. In spite of the new management which we have discussed previously, I am very troubled that the queues at Walworth Road Post Office are still unacceptably long. Furthermore, I understand that the post office on Camberwell New Road has now closed and this is causing further problems at Walworth Road. It is simply unacceptable for my constituents to have to wait over half an hour at their nearest post office and I really do hope that you will be able to help with finding a solution.
As you may remember, the post office on the Brandon Estate in Maddock Way was closed even though local residents and I protested. I understand that the lady who ran this post office is still willing to do so and that she has been making enquiries about whether she could be given a franchise again. Given the closure of the Camberwell New Road office and the difficulties which Walworth Road has in coping with demand, it seems to me that a simple solution would be to reopen the office in Maddock Way. There is someone willing to run it and I am sure that it would be sustainable given the high demand in the local area.
I would be very grateful if you could seriously consider reopening the Maddock Way post office and liaise with the previous franchise holder. I would appreciate it if you could let me know the outcome of your discussion and I do hope that you will agree that this is a sensible and reasonable way forward which will hugely benefit the lives of people in Walworth. I would, of course, be very happy to discuss the matter further with you if that would be helpful.
Thank you in advance for your assistance and I look forward to your reply. Should there be any further information that I can provide in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me using the above details.
Yours sincerely
Simon Hughes MP
MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey
Cc. Local cllrs
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