Hammersmith Pressure grows to improve postal service

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Pressure grows to improve postal service

Petition to prevent closure of Brackenbury and Fulham Palace branches

The council's campaign to improve the borough's postal service and prevent local post offices from closing is continuing - with a test posting of letters across the borough showing that pressure from the council, residents and MPs is having some effect.

The test deliveries involved 45 letters being posted at different locations in Hammersmith & Fulham to 15 addresses - with 92.5 per cent arriving within one working day.

Council leader, Cllr Andrew Slaughter, said: "This is an encouraging sign that shows Royal Mail are addressing some of the concerns expressed by the council, local residents and local MPs. However, I am still receiving reports from some residents of missing mail or deliveries being delayed for more than a week. I hope that Royal Mail can continue to deliver improvements so that all residents receive a 100 per cent service every day. We will continue to monitor their performance, particularly with the forthcoming elections and the council's responsibility for postal voting in mind."

Meanwhile the council is spearheading a petition of residents to prevent the closure of post office branches in Brackenbury Road and Fulham Palace Road or demand the provision of alternative branches in those areas.

Cllr Slaughter said: "The closures will lead to longer journeys and excessive queues for local residents. The council and the local MP, Iain Coleman, firmly believe that post offices provide a vital function in the local community and their closure hits the most vulnerable, especially older and disabled people.

"We believe that Post Office Ltd should listen to the views of their customers and maintain these branches, or provide alternatives in the immediate area. We are calling on residents to sign our petition in local shops or write to the Post Office's area head to protest at the closures. I and the local MP will also be meeting with Post Office Ltd to make these points and to press home the importance of local convenient branches to the community."

For more details about the council's campaign phone 020 8753 2029 or email Andrew.Slaughter@lbhf.gov.uk

To protest at the branch closures, write to: George Hooper, head of area, Post Office Ltd, National Consultation Team, PO Box 2060, Watford WD18 8ZW. Tel: 0191 512 34 94.

June 12, 2004