Post Office move - mixed reactions

THE news that Rustington's Post Office branch is moving to new premises in the All Seasons store in Ash Lane has been met with mixed reactions from the community.

Announced on Tuesday, the plan states that customers of the new branch will benefit from a new low-level serving counter, disabled access and a hearing loop but a lack of disabled parking has prompted some criticisms.

Graham Tyler, chairman of Rustington Parish Council, gave his initial reaction to the Gazette: "I'm obviously speaking for myself and not the council here as we haven't had a chance to meet about this yet but I'm very disappointed that they are considering putting the Post Office at that end of the village.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"People who are disabled will have no relatively close parking, not like the bays opposite the existing Post Office building.

"Where it is now is right at the heart of the village and I don't think it is a good idea to move it from there.

"The council's Post Office advisory working group will meet soon to discuss the plan and then pass on their findings to the council at the end of the month."

When the Post Office moved to its present site at the former Co-op store in Sterling Parade from Churchill Square in 1997, more than 10,000 people signed a petition protesting against the move.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Auriel Wakeling, chairman of Rustington Residents' Association, said she was "grateful" that Rustington was not losing its Post Office.

"It's not quite as central as it was and disabled parking may be a bit of a problem but at least it is in the village and we will have access to it.

"The parking available behind Somerfield is usually ok but perhaps there could be some disabled spaces created there to serve people using the post office."

Andy Cooper, chairman of Rustington Chamber of Trade and Commerce, was also pleased that the Post Office would not be moving out of Rustington: "I think it's great that the Post Office is not leaving Rustington," he said, "and that we have not got a major fight on our hands to get it to stay."

Anyone with comments or enquiries about the plan is invited to write to Consultation Manager, Post Office Ltd, National Consultation Team, Watford, WD18 8ZW by December 19 or call 08457 223344.