Post office protesters out in force
MORE than 200 concerned residents from Sompting and Lancing turned out to two packed public meetings in a bid to find out why their sub-post offices are closing.
They wanted to question Post Office representatives about their plans to close down two sub-post offices in Bowness Avenue, Sompting, and Mill Road in North Lancing.
There was standing room only at Sompting Community Centre, at the first meeting, on Saturday, December 1, where more than 70 people turned out to save Bowness Avenue post office and more than 130 people turned out to the second meeting at North Lancing First and Middle School to save Mill Road post office.
Chaired by MP Tim Loughton, residents said they were most concerned by the extra distance that would have to be travelled to reach the next nearest post office.
Mr Loughton said: "This would be a particular problem for the elderly population and it was noted that although the Post Office have calculated it is 0.9 miles from Bowness Avenue post office to the next nearest post office in North Road, Lancing, they have not taken into account the fact that many people live well beyond the post office.
"Also, in order to take a safe route and to avoid crossing the busy A27 at a dangerous place, residents will have to add another mile to this predicted 0.9 mile journey.
"The findings of a survey carried out into the environmental cost of these closures was of concern to many of those present.
"Eighty per cent of North Lancing's post office users said that if it closed down, they would drive to their next nearest post office.
"A massive 31 acres of trees would have to be planted in order to offset this increase in Adur's carbon footprint.
"At the meetings, it was also pointed out that Lancing Business Park is next to Bowness post office and that the majority of the 160 businesses on site were strongly against the closure of their local post office.
"Those attending also raised concern about the threat to local shops, which make up the heart of Adur's community, if the closures of these post offices go ahead.
"The fact that so many local residents turned out to make their views heard on these absurd proposals to close local post offices proves just how essential these services are to my constituents.
"I hope that the Post Office representatives who were present have now begun to understand the strength of concern among residents about their proposals and that they will reconsider their alarming plans.
"Under Post Office plans, East Worthing and Shoreham will lose seven of its branches – this is more than any other constituency in West Sussex.
"The Post Office are advocating an 18 per cent closure of post offices nationally and yet a massive 60 per cent of branches in Adur. Why?"
What do you think?
Are you worried about losing your local post office?
Let us know, comment in the space below and/or email letters@worthingtoday.co.uk
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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