Council’s outrage at plans to close two post offices

1:00pm Wednesday 25th June 2008

PLANS to close two popular Castle Point post offices have been branded "deplorable" by the borough's councillors.

At a special meeting of the council, members voted unanimously to pass a motion calling on residents to join them to fight the planned closures.

Last week, the post office counters in Dovervelt Road, Canvey, and Church Road, Benfleet, were told they were on the latest closures list, subject to a six-week public consultation.

Canvey councillor Ray Howard put forward a motion expressing the council's disapproval of the proposals and encouraged the community to make objections.

He said: "It is simply outrageous to think they can do this to a borough with an aging population. It is a disgrace and in my view we have got to fight."

He said the post office at Nearbuys, on Dovervelt Road, had 1,500 users every week and the branch at Martin's, in Church Road, had about 750.

Speaking in support of the motion, deputy council leader Jeffery Stanley said there were a number of grounds on which residents could object.

He said: "We have to consider how the closure might impact on the social fabric of an area or the local economy.

To register objections residents should send their views or comments to Gary Herbert Network Development Manager, c/o National Consultation Team Freepost Consultation team by July 28.

Post Office spokesman James Taylor said some branches would have to close and residents needed to give reasons why their post office should stay open.