Hey Mr Postman: Five Questions The Post Office Limited Must Answer

This week the Post Office addressed the Council Scrutiny Commission on their plans to close 30 per cent of our post offices in Walthamstow. The message came back loud and clear that it is vital as many individuals as possible participate in the consultation. I'm disappointed to report that although all the political parties in Walthamstow are backing this campaign, the Lib Dem Chair of the committee explicitly used his position to deny me the opportunity to contribute to the meeting as a local resident. If I had been given the chance to speak up for Walthamstow I would have asked:

 
1) At the Scrutiny meeting they refused to reveal the financial viability of the branches. Can they confirm whether the three Walthamstow Post Offices they propose to close - which have over 1500 customers a week - are losing or making money?

2) PostWatch, the consumer watchdog for postal services, state that they believe these proposals will leave significant areas of Walthamstow a "postal desert". Why won't they respond to this criticism?

3) Our regeneration plans for Walthamstow Town Centre, the Olympics and the Blackhorse Lane development will bring new housing to the area and so new people. Given the High Street post office is already struggling to cope, why haven't they factored existing and future demand for services into their plans?

4) They claim the walk between Forest Road and the High Street is "varied terrain". They didn't know that there are several residential homes within 100 yards of the Orford Road post office. Have they actually walked the distances they expect our elderly residents to go if they close the branches they suggest?

5) Our High Street post office is in rented accommodation. Negotiations for the new arcade development are on-going and so any space for the Post Office is not confirmed. How can they be confident that they will be able to provide a full Post Office for people in Walthamstow in these circumstances?

 
The more people who put these issues to the Post Office, the more they will have to listen to local knowledge so please join with me in raising these five questions and encouraging as many local residents as possible to do so too by circulating this email. You have until Wednesday 2 April to put your views to the Post Office. You can comment either in writing to National Consultation Team Post Office Ltd, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM (no stamp is required) or using this form on the Post Office website.