Burstow expresses concern for future of local Post Offices

1.05.47pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 23rd Dec 2006

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, has expressed his concern at an announcement by Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling that 2,500 post offices across the UK will close.

The number of post offices in Sutton and Cheam has fallen dramatically in recent years as financial pressures have taken their toll. Nine post offices in Sutton and Cheam have closed since 1999, leaving only 7 today. By contrast, neighbouring Carshalton and Wallington has only seen four closures, falling from 19 to 15, while Kingston and Surbiton currently has 14 offices.

Plans announced by Mr Darling will mean a thorough review of the post office network, taking into account the geographical proximity of each post offices.

Mr Burstow spoke of his concern that if another post office closes, more people will be directed to the already over-stretched facilities at the St Nicholas Centre or at Grove Road. Mr Burstow has written to PostWatch, the body responsible for overseeing the post office network to ask for information about waiting times at the local post offices.

Commenting on the announcement, Paul Burstow MP said:

"The government's announcement makes a case for the closure of over two thousand post offices, a huge loss to hundreds of communities."

"In recent years, people here in Sutton and Cheam have watched as their local post offices close, denying access to local services and destroying an institution at the heart of the community."

"Our local services are already overstretched as a result of past closures, so we must hope that the government's review does not recommend axing any of the few remaining post offices in the area."