Letter to Ms Anita Turner of the Post Office National Consultation Team

I am writing with regard to the proposed Post Office closures within my constituency. I am aware that there are three under threat; 382 Bath Road West Drayton, 153 North Hyde Road Hayes and 1086 Uxbridge Road, Hayes.

On behalf of the community I represent I am writing to totally oppose these proposals. Indeed I have not received a single representation or met a single organisation or individual in my constituency who has expressed support for your proposals.

I wish to make it abundantly clear that I am writing on behalf of all those organisations and members of my community who have made representations to me with their concerns about these proposals. This includes local councillors, Hayes local residents associations, the local pensioners association, the Hayes and Harlington Community Development Forum, local shopkeepers and businesses and numerous individuals.

These particular branches serve high density housing estates and the communities who live there should not be expected to travel the distances proposed to access Post Office services.

Unfortunately you have not taken into account the specific geography and demographics of these estates and communities. They are based in areas of deprivation and have a large number of isolated elderly and retired people and young families.

I have also been approached by people with disabilities as well as their representative organisations. They have strongly expressed their concern about the difficulties they will experience visiting an alternative Post Office.

The closure of these branches would cause severe hardship and inconvenience to so many people and as such I have to voice my opposition to this proposal and request you think again about removing what I and my constituents regard as a vital community facility.

I do hope that your final decision on this matter will not include the closure of these branches.

Yours sincerely

John McDonnell MP

submitted by John on 06 Mar 2008 at 23:00