In the battle to keep open the Archway Road Post Office, Highgate’s Liberal Democrat councillors are calling on the Post Office to extend the consultation deadline so that local people can express their outrage at the closure plans for the Archway Road branch. They say the deadline set for 18th March, does not give residents enough time to consider the ill conceived plans.

Cllr Neil Williams had a meeting with local residents last night, who are up in arms about the planned closure. He says the Post Office has not done enough to let people know about the plans, which will be a severe blow to local residents and the hard pressed retailers along the Archway Road. Local residents and the area’s Lib Dem councillors have also started a petition to show the strength of local feeling on the issue.

The Post Office has earmarked two Post Offices on the Archway Road for closure (one in Haringey and one in Islington) as a result of Post Office restructuring plans for the area. The Lib Dems say there are many elderly residents in the Highgate and Archway areas who rely on their local Post office. Highgate is a hilly part of London and the walk up to the village branch can be a trek for some residents

Cllr Neil Williams comments:

“I am very disappointed with the way this issue is being handled by the Post Office, and I would like them to agree to an extra two weeks of consultation.

“The deadline of this Friday is not enough. Despite writing to object, I have still not even received a copy of their consultation document from the Post Office, and have had to obtain it from other sources. And all this despite their apparent desire to consult with local councillors.”

Greater London Authority member Lynne Featherstone, who has been warning for months that the Post Office was bound to target Haringey branches for closure, adds:

“I am concerned that the Post Office bosses are not doing all they can to bring their closure plans to the attention of local residents. If we don’t oppose these plans, Archway Road could be the first of many branches to close in Haringey. I hope that as many Highgate residents as possible will sign the local petition.”