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WALTHAMSTOW: Cautious welcome for post office rethink
LOCAL politicians and community campaigners have cautiously welcomed a rethink on the closure of three post offices in Walthamstow.
Post Office Ltd announced decisions on the future of branches earmarked for closure, including six in Waltham Forest.
And while the branches in Leyton High Road, Hall Lane, Chingford and Grove Green Road, Leytonstone, will all be axed from next month, a proposal to close three in Walthamstow has now been placed "under further review."
It is believed that concerns raised by the watchdog Post Watch about the ability of Walthamstow Central post office to cope with extra customers may have been behind the rethink.
Walthamstow MP Neil Gerrard and the prospective parliamentary candidate for Labour Stella Creasy issued a joint statement saying they were "pleased to see the Post Office has listened to the concerns raised by local people".
They said: "We want to thank all those residents with whom we have campaigned on the issue and whose vital contribution to this debate we believe has led to the Post Office admitting it needs to rethink its plans for our area."
The council said it will be continuing to fight the closures and will be supplying further evidence to Post Watch that closing the three Walthamstow branches will have a negative effect on the borough.
Joanne Rogers, 58, of Falmer Road, has been campaigning to save the Forest Road branch, with her 88-year-old mother Gladys Gloyn.
She said: "I am glad that the axe did not fall straight away.
"But I am not getting exciied about this in any way, shape or form. This could be all be a tactic to make it look as though they are listening."
Post office Ltd was ordered by the Government to draw up a list of about 2,500 branches to be closed nationwide, due to rising losses and a drop in demand.
The decision to close the branches in Forest Road, Orford Road and Chingford Road has been delayed, but a Post Office Ltd spokeswoman was unable to tell the Guardian when a final decision would be made.
4:24pm Monday 12th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Mr Khalid, walthamstow on 6:54pm Mon 12 May 08
is no good the kepting the posts office opens for just the olds ladys by 1 stamps and talk to othar old lady in q and make the long q and wated one hours behinds this parsons becose no econmy and beter useded the post ofices make shop food or the restrants for the parson to useded
is no good the kepting the posts office opens for just the olds ladys by 1 stamps and talk to othar old lady in q and make the long q and wated one hours behinds this parsons becose no econmy and beter useded the post ofices make shop food or the restrants for the parson to useded
Posted by: Peter, Waltham Forest on 7:03pm Mon 12 May 08
Well done Neil and Stella! Working together for the people of Walthamstow. Ms Creasy will be an excellent successor to Neil Gerrard. Walthamstow residents are very lucky.
Well done Neil and Stella! Working together for the people of Walthamstow. Ms Creasy will be an excellent successor to Neil Gerrard. Walthamstow residents are very lucky.
Posted by: The singing postman, Leytonstone on 9:06pm Mon 12 May 08
Oh yes, excellent - they really have worked hard for our post offices, what with Labour proposing the closures and Gerrard and Cohen voting for them in parliament. Two faced hypocrites, the lot of 'em. People aren't stupid, you know!
Oh yes, excellent - they really have worked hard for our post offices, what with Labour proposing the closures and Gerrard and Cohen voting for them in parliament. Two faced hypocrites, the lot of 'em. People aren't stupid, you know!
Posted by: Walthamster, E17 on 10:01pm Mon 12 May 08
Singing Postman, is that right? I thought Neil Gerrard and Harry Cohen were quite good on local issues. Very disappointing if true. What about Ian Duncan-Smith of Chingford?
Singing Postman, is that right? I thought Neil Gerrard and Harry Cohen were quite good on local issues. Very disappointing if true. What about Ian Duncan-Smith of Chingford?
Posted by: pete, leyton on 7:51am Tue 13 May 08
The singing postman - Harry Cohen voted for the closures,but Neil Gerrard did not vote as he was recovering from heart surgery.
The singing postman - Harry Cohen voted for the closures,but Neil Gerrard did not vote as he was recovering from heart surgery.
Posted by: The singing postman, Leytonstone on 8:47am Tue 13 May 08
I'm sure that they both voted for the closure programme during thre first indicative vote - I would love to be proved wrong, but until then I'm not going to be patronised by Labour politicians voting one thing and then sayiong the other to their communities.
I'm sure that they both voted for the closure programme during thre first indicative vote - I would love to be proved wrong, but until then I'm not going to be patronised by Labour politicians voting one thing and then sayiong the other to their communities.
Posted by: Gary, e17 on 5:13pm Tue 13 May 08
We have to use the things if they are not viable they will be closed, I remember thatcher got us into making the books balance type stuff.
We have to use the things if they are not viable they will be closed, I remember thatcher got us into making the books balance type stuff.
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