Disabled Waltham Abbey man makes own ramp in battle with PO

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Disabled Waltham Abbey man makes own ramp in battle with the Post Office

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A wheelchair-bound Waltham Abbey resident has continued his campaign to get the Post Office to provide a ramp by making one of his own.

Vernon Gurtner, 65, originally asked the Post Office on Sun Street if a ramp could be installed back in May. However, so far no ramp has materialised.

In June the Post Office promised Mr Gurtner that a portable ramp would be provided shortly and that a sign advising customers to ring the bell for assistance would also be installed.

A handwritten note appeared shortly afterwards but quickly vanished.

Mr Gurtner has now produced his own ramp, to show the branch how simple it can be, he says.

The ramp, made of rubber matting, cost around £5 to make.

Mr Gurtner said: "The object of my exercise is to show that it doesn't take much.

"It doesn't need additional building work.

"It was a homemade effort, but it fits the purpose and gets me in and gets me out safely.

"I hope after 20 years of doing nothing, they will get hold of a portable ramp."

Mr Gurtner says the problem not only affects him and other wheelchair-bound customers,but also those with movement difficulties and prams and pushchairs.

A Post Office spokeswoman said: "Post Office Ltd had been working with the current postmaster to try to improve accessibility at the branch. However, the postmaster then indicated that he would now like to leave under the Post Office’s major modernisation programme taking place across the UK, if a suitable replacement postmaster can be found.

"We have advertised the vacancy. There were no local businesses interested in taking on a Post Office at nearby premises, however, there are several interested parties who are keen to take on the Post Office at its current location.

"We will consider the suitability of the candidates and we will be mindful of whether they have plans to improve accessibility at the branch before any appointment of a new postmaster is made.

"With several interested parties wanting to take on the Post Office we are optimistic that we will find a suitable replacement postmaster to run the branch. We are committed to maintaining the size of our network of Post Offices."

[vernwin]

April, 2016. I am the chap pushing for a portable ramp in the Sun Street branch of the Post Office in Waltham Abbey. As you would imagine nothing has materialised. There is no notice explaining that the bell can be pushed to summon assistance. Promises were made that material works to the foyer would commence by now and again nothing has materialised. My own position remains an observer and there appears to be nothing that the Post Office National or the local Council will do to force the issue. vernwin@btinternet.com