Lib Dems in Highgate have expressed alarm that two post offices on the Archway Road have been earmarked for closure as a result of post office restructuring plans for the area. One of the post offices, at 180 Archway Road, is in the Lib Dem held ward of Highgate, and local councillor Neil Williams says he is concerned over the future of postal services in the Highgate and Archway area.

The Lib Dems have been warning of possible post office closures, and say that the development does not bode well for the future of local post office services.

Neil Williams comments:

“This is a not a welcome development.While there are other post offices in the Highgate area, the sub post office at 180 Archway Road will be sorely missed.

“Royal Mail mustn’t forget that there are a lot of elderly residents in the Highgate and Archway areas who rely on the local post office. They should also remember that Highgate is a hilly part of London and the walk up to the village can be a major trek for some residents.”

Lynne Featherstone, who recently presented a petition from Haringey residents against post office closures to Vincent Cable MP, adds:

“These plans show how important it is for us to keep up the pressure on both the Post Office and the Government on this issue. It would be a disaster if they continue with their present policies which would see the closure of a third of urban post offices.”

Residents wishing to express their concern at the closure can do so by sending an email to: PostOffices@haringeylibdems.org

Note – the Post Office release reads as follows:

TwoPostOffice branches in London could close this year as part of local changes designed to safeguard the future of urban Post Office branches in the area.

PostOfficeLtdannounced last year that it intended to undertake a programme to restructureandmoderniseitsnationalnetworkofmore than 9,000 urban Post Officesbranches.Inmanycitiesandtownsthere are simply too many outlets competingfor too little business. Along with increased running costs and concerns aboutfutureincomeincludingchangesto the way benefits are paid, many subpostmasters will no longer have viable businesses unless changes are made.

Now, following a preference exercise during which subpostmasters across the country were asked to indicate their wishes for the future, the business has agreed with the subpostmasters of 21 Archway Road branch and 180 Archway Road branch, that his branch should close permanently in May 2003.

George Hooper, Head of Area, said this week: “Proposals to close Post Office branches are not made without considerable research and discussion so we are anxiousthat customers and all relevant organisations understand our rationale and have the opportunity to give us their views.

“We have a responsibility to ensuring that customers in London will continue to have reasonable access to local Post Office products and services. Even after any changes are made, well over 95% of customers will still live within a mile of a Post Office branch.

“Having met with the subpostmasters from 21 Archway Road, 180 Archway Road Post Office branches and also with other local subpostmasters, we have concluded that if these branches were to close, it would improve the long-term prospects of the other branches in the area. In particular, we have made sure that Highgate High Street branch, 7 Highgate Street, Highgate Near Station branch, Archway Road and Upper Holloway branch would be fully geared up to cope with extra customers should the closures go ahead.

“Therefore we are proposing to close these branches permanently. But before we make a final decision we want to hear of any concerns customers and others might have about the closure and about the services provided by our nearest, alternative branches no final decisions will be taken until we have considered all views.