Letter, not petition

Published on 11th October 2007 in Letters

Sir - Thank you for your excellent coverage of the work of myself and others such as our MP, Ian Cawsey are doing to use the consultation to the Post Office to think again about their proposals to close Westfield Avenue Post office.

But I must say the comments from the Tories show they have some brass neck! For 18 years they sat back and watched thousands of post offices close. They failed to support the funding to subsidise the current network, which is now running at a record £4 million a week. They don't also say the Tory Chair of the Trade and Industry Select Committee says that a reduction in the number of branches is inevitable. Indeed they must think we all live in cloud cuckoo land if they think we will fall for their crocodile tears on post offices, all spin and no substance.

Westfield Avenue Post office in my opinion does not fall into the category of underused or uneconomic and I think the Post Office have got it wrong if they think Hedley Court could take on all the extra trade.

I appeal to those who have received a circular from Andrew Percy asking you to sign a petition to ignore it and instead write in with your objections. A petition is not appropriate and would carry no influence. The criteria laid down by the Post Office is quite clear: anyone opposing the proposed closure must write in, setting our their reasons as to why the Post Office should not close.

Could it be that this is cynical attempt by Andrew Percy to ensure there are no proper objections, resulting in the closure, so for political gain he could then blame the government?

I cannot stress the importance of urging people to write in setting out their views as to why Westfield Post office should close - that is the purpose of the consultation process.

There are model letter at the Post Office to assist that have been supplied by Ian and myself. They are also available at The Courtyard in Boothferry Road. Objections must be in by November 12. Those with access to a computer can email their support for Westfield Avenue post office to cawseyi@parliament.uk or online to his website at www.iancawsey.co.uk

With your support we can retain this vital service.

Keith Moore

(Cllr)

Hilda Street, Goole