SUSAN KRAMER STANDS UP FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AGAINST POST OFFICE CLOSURES

5.02.19pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Apr 2008

Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston has today submitted her formal opposition to plans to close the Chestnut Grove Post Office in North Kingston.

In a letter sent as part of the consultation, Susan Kramer said,

"Your plans to close this branch have caused a great deal of concern amongst residents of the area. This Post Office has existed for over 107 years, and many local residents are very upset at the prospect of its closure. Situated as it is in a small parade of shops, I believe its closure would have a really detrimental effect on the local community.

Residents tell me this Post Office is preferable to the one further down Richmond Road because it has the benefit of one hour parking bays. The availability of parking here means that those with mobility difficulties are able to access the services at Chestnut Grove easily. Similar parking is not available at the alternative Post Office further down Richmond Road.

I also believe that closing this Post Office would have a detrimental effect on other shops in the parade, and could reduce footfall to this area. Many customers stop at the Post Office and then visit the other shops in the parade.

I would also like to draw your attention to the lack of a Post Office in the Ham estate in my constituency. Every Post Office in this area has been closed over the past few years, leaving residents without easy access to these vital facilities. Many residents of the estate do not have access to a car, and so continue to find it difficult to travel to Post Offices further afield in Richmond or Kingston.

I hope that you would take this information into account, and amend the proposals accordingly to safeguard the Chestnut Grove Post Office, and consider re-providing Post Office services at the Ham estate."