LIB DEMS TAKE POST OFFICE CLOSURES MESSAGE TO PRIME MINISTER

Serena Tierney, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Mid Sussex and Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, delivered a giant postcard to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street urging him to end unwanted post office closures.

The text on the postcard reads: "Dear Tony,

The residents of East Grinstead and Haywards Heath urge you to take action to end unwanted closures of post offices which deprive local people of essential services."

Serena Tierney said:

"The closures of the post offices at Lingfield Road and North End in East Grinstead show that this government does not understand that urban communities depend on their post offices. Local people have lost invaluable sources of advice and help and a focal point for the community. The bank of knowledge built up over many years by the sub-postmasters has simply been thrown away and no replacement provided.

"Ultimately, the government will find itself picking up the much greater cost that will come when older people cannot live independent lives for so long without this support. And the cost both to individuals and to the community as a whole of the loss of advice and help in claiming their entitlement is one which reduces the quality of people's lives in a real and significant way."

In the review of the Urban Regeneration programme currently under way in Parliament, Liberal Democrats are pressing for issues of sustainable communities to be taken into consideration - as they already are for rural communities.

Norman Baker added:

"The closure of local sub post offices as has happened recently across this area results in greater pressure on people to use their cars to get to more distant Post Offices. Given the congestion on local roads, pressure on parking facilities and additional pollution, it is clear that this government does not care about the environmental consequences of its short-sighted decisions. "