Political parties join forces to save Harpenden's oldest Post Office

10.18.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 5th Aug 2008

Post Office Campaign group: PPC Nigel Quinton, Chris Canfield, Julie Bell, Mike Wakely, Jeff Phillips, Chris Grey

Following the well attended public meeting on 23rd July, a "Campaign Committee" has been established with representatives from across Harpenden's political spectrum. Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Nigel Quinton and colleagues Jeff Phillips and Cllr Alison Steer have joined with local Conservative councillors Mike Wakely and Julie Bell and put aside party differences to work together to try to save Station Road North Post Office (as the Post Office call it) from closure.

Other members of the committee are Chris Grey, of Batford Community Action Group, and Chris Canfield, chair of governors at Manland School.

The group had their first meeting last Friday evening, and their objective is to make sure that as many people as possible contribute letters to the Post Office consultation and that the more technical submissions being prepared by the district and town councils are well argued and that all the necessary facts have been researched.

The Town Council will be kept fully informed of the group's actions and the town council website will be used to keep the public informed. A list of key points for inclusion in letters to the post office has already been posted there. These are, briefly: (1) the impact on local residents and businesses, (2) the lack of parking close to the main Post Office and the inadequacy of bus services, (3) the disproportionate impact on the less well off or infirm in our community, and (4) disabled access, which is good at Station Road North, contrary to the Post Office's Access Report, but - due to parking difficulties - very bad at the main office.

Nigel Quinton had this to say: "Very few Post Offices have been saved across the country, but where they have it has been the result of community-wide action. It is important for the well-being of Harpenden residents that the Post Office network is preserved. Closing this particular branch will disadvantage several thousand local people, not to mention local businesses. It is vital that everyone writes to the consultation team before the deadline of 26th August."

The address for people to write to express their concerns about the propose closure is:

Laura Tarling, Network Development Manager, c/o National Consultation Team, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM, or email consultation@postoffice.co.uk

Check the Harpenden Town Council website www.harpenden.gov.uk for details of the campaign and upcoming meetings.