Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, has today launched a campaign to retain the collection service at Archway Road Post Office.

Currently, residents can collect their undelivered parcels and special delivery letters at no cost from the Post Office on Archway Road.

Under Royal Mail’s proposed changes, this collection service may be lost. Highgate residents would have to travel to an estate in N19 – or alternatively pay a £1.50 charge per item to pick up their undelivered parcels and post from Archway Road.

Lynne Featherstone MP and the Haringey Liberal Democrats have launched a petition calling on Royal Mail to retain the free collection point.

Commenting, Highgate Lib Dem Councillor Rachel Allison said:

“Highgate residents will be angered to hear that the Royal Mail wants to charge £1.50 per item for a collection service which is currently free.

“Residents rely on this service. To expect them to travel to an estate in N19 to pick items up for free is at best disingenuous and at worst cynical. For most it will mean two buses each way. Many elderly and vulnerable residents are simply unable to do this and will be forced to pay the £1.50 charge to collect items at the post office.”

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

 “When I heard about the changes, I called an urgent meeting with Royal Mail. Rachel Allison and I argued strongly for the free collection at Archway Road to stay. As a result, Royal Mail is now thinking twice.

“Rachel and I will continue to fight hard for this free collection service – but we really need your help. We need to show Royal Mail how strong public opinion is – that’s why we’re encouraging as many people as possible to sign our petition.”

Sign the petition here: http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/parcelN6