Don't K.O. our P.O.

I learnt late yesterday afternoon that plans have been published to close two of our local Post Office branches in Lower Richmond Road, on the corner of Erpingham Road AND in Putney Bridge Road, near Oxford Road.

Anyone who's been around in Putney for more than five minutes will know that Lower Richmond Road has already lost a post office, a few years ago, and this plan will remove any proximity to postal services for a community relatively isolated, bordered on three sides by Putney Common, the river Thames and the mainline railway.

That's why it's frankly laughable for The Post Office to claim that "in the area" are no less than five other branches: one in Barnes, two in Fulham and the others in Upper Richmond Road: a good half an hour's walk or two bus journeys just to get there.



I'm not someone who believes that post offices deserve to be kept open by some divine right. The public is subsidising the Post Office to the tune of £3 million a week because of the losses they are making. Where, in the past there have been duplicate services in close proximity and branches that are hardly used, it is right that Royal Mail considers their future. But these branches are not duplicates - they're busy and popular - and perhaps most significantly of all the area they serve is a genuine community that values their post offices.

Those are the reasons I've launched the campaign to save the Lower Richmond Road Post Office - you can find out more at www.stuartking.net/postoffice. If you're in the area surrounding the Lower Richmond Road or Putney Bridge Road post offices you'll be hearing from me soon with ways to get involved and help stop this K.O. of our P.O. - but I'd welcome your support where ever you live and whichever political party you vote for: this isn't a party political issue.

We have until 2nd April to make our views known about the closure plans: as well as signing my online petition you can also write direct to Anita Turner, Network Development Manager, Post Office Ltd, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM or email consultation@postoffice.co.uk. If you could copy me in to your submission this will help strengthen our collective voice against these plans.