2,000+ Local Residents say 'No' to Post Office Closures

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Apr 2008

2000, that's the number of petition signatures and letters dropped off to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in Victoria Street, Westminster yesterday lunchtime by a delegation of Sutton's politicians; Cllr Ruth Dombey and Cllr Simon Wales, Paul Burstow MP and Tom Brake MP.

Tom Brake MP, in whose constituency four post offices are expected to close, commented, "It is the Government that got Post Offices into this mess. They must get them out of it. That means acting on residents' concerns about Post Office closures and giving Post Offices more flexibility to take on other business."

Paul Burstow added, "It is a scandal that these Post Office closures are going ahead despite the tide of public opinion in favour of keeping them open. I will continue to work with my colleagues across Sutton to fight the closures".

Local Councillor and Deputy Leader of Sutton Council Ruth Dombey said, "Sutton's Post Offices are a vital local resource for many people, and every effort should be made to ensure that they are viable. Liberal Democrats across Sutton are pulling together with sub postmasters and local residents to fight the closures".

Cllr Simon Wales, who has been working closely with the Gander Green Lane postmaster stated, "The proposed closure of Gander Green Lane sub post office is a disaster. The effect on the local community will be devastating, especially in the light of recent closures of neighbouring post offices. Without the Post Office business, the shop will be forced to close - another blow to the local area."

Tom Brake will also be speaking to the petition in Parliament at the end of parliamentary business tomorrow.