Letter from Caroline Pidgeon on London's Post Offices

2.41.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 9th May 2008

New Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon wrote to all national and local press in protest of the planned Post Office closure.

She had the following to say:

Dear Sir,

The news that 155 London Post Offices are to be closed down is a bitter blow to Londoners but seems to have passed the new Mayor by.

Shutting 155 branches will be a huge disappointment to thousands of people, especially older residents and small businesses who have campaigned so hard. Many branches that are to close make healthy profits and are a valuable link to the community. The consultation period of six weeks provided by the Government was not remotely adequate.

This week, I have handed Boris Johnson a letter appealing for him to take immediate action against these closures. Saving local Post Offices is one of his key manifesto pledges but as yet, he has been silent on the issue. To prove that he is serious about London, the Mayor needs to step-up now.

Many local communities are fighting hard to prevent these closures but so far, their protests have fallen on deaf ears. I fear that Boris could be another politician who just doesn't listen.

Boris may need time to settle into his new role, but he needs to act now - our Post Offices don't have time on their side.

Caroline Pidgeon AM

London Assembly Liberal Democrat