IT HAS been announced that The Royal Mail is proposing to close down at least TWO local Post Offices - Victoria Rd.,(despite its recent six month reprieve) and Chesterton Rd. (which is always busy).
These plans have been met with much local opposition from residents and local Councillors.

The usual fatalistic response from a Royal Mail representative at a public meeting last night that it was necessary to shut down some branches, due to claims that they're losing money and therefore not making a profit was met with plenty of valid and well considered responses from local residents.

Comments included queries about how this would effect not only local residents (the elderly and disabled being the most profoundly inconvenienced), but, also how it would have a knock-on effect on businesses around the The Mitchams Corner area, as they would not only lose custom, but, also may have to find other means of banking, as well as severely inconveniencing them for sending business post.
It was pointed out that the next nearest Posting/Banking facilities would then be the main branch in town, which is already running at capacity (sometimes with ques trailing out of the front door during the afternoon!).
This, is of course no good if you are less able-bodied, due to the distance you would have to travel to get to the main branch (about a mile and a half from Mitchams Corner).
To lose a Post Office is to also lose an important social centre for some, as it can be a valuable meeting place for the elderly and disabled to meet their neighbours and have Human contact they may not otherwise get.

These proposals form part of a national pattern of closures both in towns and villages by the Royal Mail, and can do untold damage to the fabric of a community in their wake.

If you wish to make your feelings known on this issue, please download and print the petition attached to the end of this article. When you've filled it out, send it to the address at the bottom of the sheet.