Save Norwich's Post Offices: New Costessey Branch Now Threatened

Three branches in Norwich City were initially included on the Government initiated Post Office closure programme. They were: Vauxhall Street (Suffolk Square), Rosary Road, and North Earlham (Bowthorpe Road). Simon Wright played a leading role in campaigning against these closures, and Vauxhall Street Post Office has been sucessfully saved. However, at the end of June, Post Office Ltd announced that they are now proposing to close New Costessey Post Office on Norwich Road. Again, Simon Wright is campaigning hard alongside Liberal Democrat councillors and the wider community to see this branch saved.

Simon Wright said: "As with Vauxhall Street, New Costessey Post Office provides a vital service to the community. Many people, particularly the elderly and those with mobility problems, will have real difficulties without a local post office. Businesses in the area also benefit from having a post office nearby. We must fight to keep New Costessey Post Office open."

HOW YOU CAN HELP

1. Sign the petition. You can do this online at: http://www.simonwright.org.uk/petitions/3.html

2. Submit your comments as part of the Post Office Ltd's public consultation process on these closures. You can write giving your objections to Simon Wright who will pass you views onto the Post Office. To send your views to Simon, either email simon@simonwright.org.uk or write to Simon Wright, FREEPOST RRCE-BXJR-EZGL, 422 Unthank Road, Norwich, NR4 7QH.

If you prefer, contact Post Office Ltd direct by calling 08457 223344 or email consultation@postoffice.co.uk or write to Laura Tarling, Network Development Manager, Post Office Ltd, c/o National Consultation Team, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM

3. Write to the local papers and make your views known: email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk and edpletters@archant.co.uk

WHY WE SHOULD FIGHT FOR OUR LOCAL POST OFFICES

These post offices are a lifeline to local residents, many who are elderly or have mobility problems and cannot travel any further to access the services that they rely on such as paying bills, getting benefits and pensions, and sending packages. Some provide additional services, such as the well-used cash machine at the Vauxhall Street branch which would be lost.

Local businesses rely on the services provided by the post offices.

Shops near to the post offices often benefit from the custom of those who travel to them.

These post offices all have car parking available directly outside but the Castle Mall does not. This is an important consideration for those with mobility problems.

The Castle Mall post office already struggles with the number of customers it has. The queues will get even worse when other branches close

THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT SOLUTION

The Liberal Democrats are the only political party to have a viable plan to maintain and importantly to build the post office network, rather than just manage its decline.

The Liberal Democrats propose a fully costed £2 billion investment package. Liberal Democrats would halt the current closure programme, and aim to re-open closed post offices where the need exists. We are the only political party with a plan to save the post office network.

Our proposals would be paid for by selling a 49% stake in Royal Mail. As part of this plan, we would also free the Post Office from strict Royal Mail restrictions allowing new business opportunities to be explored.

More at: http://www.libdems.org.uk/commerce/issues/postoffice.html