Huge response to Save Our Post Offices Petition

5.30.00pm GMT Mon 3rd Dec 2007

Lucy Care's campaign to save Derby Post Offices from Labour's axe has received a massive response from local people

Derby Liberal Democrat campaigner Cllr Lucy Care has been to Westminster to hand over a copy of the first instalment of her Save our Post Offices petitions.

Lucy Care handed the petitions, collected from local people in Derby, to Derbyshire Liberal Democrat MP Paul Holmes. The petitions will be handed over to the government along with petitions collected by Liberal Democrats campaigners from right across Britain.

Cllr Lucy Care said "We have had a huge response to the petitions. Nearly a thousand people have signed them. It is clear local people want to save our Post Offices.

"The government plans to close six Derby Post Offices are part of a massive 2,500 Post Office closure programme nationally. We must force the government to drop that closure programme.

"Just a few years ago sixteen Derby Post Offices were shut. If the six more Derby Post Offices which are at threat are closed it will mean longer journeys for many people to pick up pensions or send a parcel. It will also mean longer queues for everyone who uses the remaining Post Offices.

"On the one hand Labour emphasises the importance of local neighbourhoods and sets targets to cut climate change, but then they close local services and force people to travel further to reach alternatives. This is not joined up government."

The Abbey Street, Ashbourne Road, Chester Green, Wilmorton, Shelton Lock and Pear Tree Post Offices in Derby are at threat of closure.