Council Expresses Its Concern Following Closure of Two More Post Offices
The Acting Leader of the London Borough of Bexley expressed her "frustration
and disappointment" at the news this week that the Post Office has decided
to push ahead with the closure of both Brampton Road and Foots Cray Post Offices.
"We argued strongly against these closures and I am angry that our views
- and the concerns of local people - haven't been taken into account," explained
Cllr Teresa O'Neill, who took on the role of Acting Council Leader this week. "I
know there will widespread dismay that yet more post offices in the borough are
set to shut down after just six weeks of consultation."
In its response to the consultation, the Council highlighted the fact that
the number of post offices in the borough has fallen by half over recent years.
According to the Post Office's own figures, the Brampton Road post office
had between 750 and 999 customer sessions in an average week and the Foots Cray
post office between 500 and 749.
"The nearest alternative post offices are just over half a mile away
in the case of Brampton Road and one mile away in the case of Foots Cray," said
Cllr O'Neill. "This is a significant issue for people over 60, who are more
than one fifth of Bexley's residents, as well as for those who cannot drive,
or who do not own a car. It's clear that the decision has more to do with the
balance sheet than the needs of local communities and businesses, not to mention
people's right to a good quality of life and independence."
The Council argued that it should be possible to save post offices by transforming
the service they offer, rather than by closing them.
