Burstow vows to continue fight for Cheam's postal recognition

4.35.58pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 4th Dec 2006

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, has today spoken of his determination to continue his campaign to secure postal town status for his home town of Cheam. Mr Burstow announced that he will be delivering his petition - supported by over a thousand local residents - to Royal Mail on Saturday 9th December. Mr Burstow, together with a number of proud Cheam residents, will post the petition from the post box in Cheam village.

Mr Burstow secured a debate in the House of Commons about the issue on Tuesday 31st October.

During the debate, he spoke of Cheam's proud history and the strength of local support for the campaign. He also expressed his confusion at Royal Mail's contention that Cheam residents should use Sutton as their postal address to aid 'operational efficiency', when there are over 50 places named Sutton in the country, compared with only one Cheam.

Mr Burstow also questioned the Minister as to why Carshalton, which is served by a Wallington sorting office, should be a postal town, while Cheam is not. In response to Mr Burstow's question, Mr Fitzpatrick admitted "there does seem to be a minor anomaly".

Speaking during the debate on October 31st, Paul Burstow MP said:

"Despite all that effort on the part of myself and my constituents, the Royal Mail has refused to budge."

"It has held fast to its view that Cheam should be labelled as an appendage to its larger neighbour, Sutton."

"To make a comparison, how would the residents of Hampstead regard a decision by the Royal Mail to insist that they use Camden as their address and that Hampstead no longer exists?"

Commenting about his decision to deliver his petition to the Sutton sorting office, Mr Burstow said:

"Delivering this petition is not the end of this battle to change the minds of those at Royal Mail.

"In the New Year, I will be contacting Cheam residents again about the next phase of the campaign. I am determined to pursue this issue for the hundreds of local people who have pledged their support."