Save our Post Offices

12.31.55pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 28th Feb 2007

Cllr Peter Crawford is concerned that the government's plans will see post offices such as Ropers Gate closed

Local Liberal Democrats have launched a petition calling for action to stop Post Office closures. The decision to launch the petition was sparked by the decision of the Blair/Brown government to launch a new wave of Post Office closures.

Here in Tunbridge Wells, we have already seen the closure of 10 branches since 1999. Labour ministers want another 2,500 branches across the country to be closed, in addition to the 4,000 they have closed since they came to power.

Here in Tunbridge Wells, we have a strong record of fighting for local Post Offices. Lib Dem Borough Councillor Peter Crawford successfully campaigned for the Ropers Gate Post Office in Broadwater to reopen. Under the new plans, that very same Post Office may be under threat again.

"I can't believe that the government is considering these measures" said Peter, "which will see many communities lose their much cherished Post Offices. They are a focal point which give many people a level of independence that they wouldn't have otherwise. Elderly residents in particular have told me of their worries about the Government's decision to end the Post Office Card Account, used by many pensioners to collect their state pension."

"They may now be forced to get their pensions paid through a bank account instead, depending on the outcome of the tender for a replacement card account. The result is that already struggling Post Offices are losing even more business and income.

"We have launched a petition along with Liberal Democrat campaigners from other areas to call on the Government to keep Post Offices open and and free the business from restrictive regulation, invest in the future of the network and stop removing government business.