Royal Mail Sounds Last Post For Many High Street Post Offices - Kramer

12.19.00pm GMT Mon 1st Nov 2004

Post Offices still have the axe hanging over them despite vigorous local campaigns in the Richmond area. The warning came from Susan Kramer, Liberal Democrat Campaigner for Richmond Park following a report from the sub-postmasters' national organisation and reports that Royal Mail is considering getting rid of half its high street operations.

"We have seen vital sub post offices close in places like Barnes, Sheen and Ham. These are often lifelines for older people who find it difficult to travel distances to collect their pensions or post a package.

"The sub-postmasters make a compelling case for keeping sub post offices for the social and economic services they provide to communities.

"On top of this we hear now that Royal Mail is looking at all its high street post offices with a view to closing or selling as many as half of them. This could hit both Richmond and Kingston hard, since the main post offices are on sites that would fetch a high price if sold to a retail outlet.

"We must stop the rot now before the axe falls on other post offices in the future. Some services are essential and postal services are among them."