Lib Dems urge Mayor Boris to act on Post Office closures

London Assembly Liberal Democrats urged the Mayor to take action on the closure of 155 London Post Offices today.

There has been no word about how the Mayor will respond to today’s closures, despite focusing much of his campaign on protecting London’s Post Offices.

Commenting, Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Assembly Member said:
“One of the Mayor’s strongest manifesto pledges was to stop the Government from axing local Post Offices. The Mayor needs to step-up and show that he is serious about protecting local Post Office branches.

“Today over 150 Post Offices were axed and Londoners had almost no opportunity to protest against these closures

“Liberal Democrats have been working hard to prevent these closures. Today’s result comes as a disappointment, not just to me, but also to many Londoners. Branches such as Abbeville Road in Clapham are to be shut down despite their obvious value to the community and the strength of protest from local residents.

“It would be a real disappointment if Londoners’ protests fell on deaf ears just because the Mayor is preoccupied in his first days in office.”

Caroline Pidgeon has written to Boris Johnson requesting an urgent statement on the action he plans to take:

Dear Boris,

I am writing to enquire how you plan to respond to the closure of many London Post Offices as announced today.

In your manifesto, you promised to amend the London Plan to recognise the need for a Post Office within walking distance of residents. You also pledged to continue the campaign against the proposed closures in all parts of London.

In light of the 155 Post Offices that have been axed from service today, will you continue with the previous Mayor’s appeal for a judicial review against the Post Office, and the Government’s failure to allow adequate time to fill in the consultation on the closures?

I have been working hard to prevent these closures. Today’s result comes as a disappointment, not just to me, but also to many Londoners. Branches such as Abbeville Road in Clapham are to be shut down despite their value and the strength of protest from local residents.

I would very much appreciate a response outlining your planned action on this subject. It is an issue of great importance to Londoners and in light of today’s closures, it is a matter of some urgency as well.

Yours sincerely
Caroline Pidgeon, AM
Liberal Democrat Group
London Assembly