10,000 sign up

A CAMPAIGN to safeguard local post offices and rural deliveries launched by local MP Norman Baker has exceeded 10,000 signatures while postal group Consignia is considering closing nine Post Offices in the Lewes constituency.

The news that nine urban sub-post offices might close under the Urban Network Reinvention Programme came in a letter to Mr Baker from Consignia, who recorded losses of 163m on the post office network last year.

The petition launched by Mr Baker in April this year to preserve rural deliveries and local post offices has so far gathered over 10,000 signatures with more flooding in.

The LibDem MP has been overwhelmed by support for the campaign and plans to deliver the petition to 10 Downing Street.

The nine post offices at risk are spread across Seaford, Lewes and Polegate:-

l Alfriston Road, Seaford

l Church Lane, Lewes

l Chyngton Estate, Seaford

l Fairways Estate, Seaford

l Landport, Lewes

l Southover, Lewes

l St Annes, Lewes

l Vale Road, Seaford

l Wannock, Polegate

The South East as a whole is expected to see significant closures among its 1,190 urban branches and 1,002 rural branches.

Speaking about the problems facing post offices in his constituency, Mr Baker said: 'Local post offices are an essential part of the fabric of a community.

'They are particularly valued by elderly people many of whom would be significantly inconvenienced if they had to make their way to a main post office in a town centre.

'A local post office also provides a friendly contact point which would be sadly missed were it to disappear.

'The fact that over 10,000 of my constituents have already signed my petition to keep post offices open and protect rural deliveries shows the strength of feeling on this issue.

'I am dismayed that the ill-named Consignia is now contemplating a raft of post office closures across my constituency and indeed across the country.

'This of course comes on top of plans to reduce the frequency of postal deliveries.

'You have to ask why it is that a hitherto successful operation with a virtual monopoly can so quickly slide into a shambles.

'I can assure my constituents I will be doing all I can to prevent the closure of any post offices within my constituency, though given the fact that Consignia appears to be acting with at least tacit government support, I feel this may not be easy.'