'People power' halts closure of Peacehaven post office

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 09 Nov 2013, 18:03

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10796283 ... ce/?ref=nt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

People power has defeated plans to close a post office.

Plans to relocate the Peacehaven Post Office into a local shop have been forced back to the drawing board.

Hundreds of residents raised concerns that the proposals would make the post office inaccessible for many of the town’s elderly residents.

The proposals would have seen the post office move into a Nisa Local half a mile along the South Coast Road in Peacehaven.

The move would have seen opening times more than double to 60 hours, seven days a week.

But residents said the move would make it more difficult to get to and would have created car parking issues.

Their concerns about the proposed move were also echoed by watchdog Consumer Futures.

The decision not to go ahead with the switch comes after a six week consultation which ended last month.

Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby, who campaigned to keep the post office, said he had received hundreds of letters from concerned residents who did not want to see the current post office go.

He said: “The ability for elderly people and parents with young children to be able to walk easily to the post office is something that residents really care about.

“I am really pleased that the Post Office has listened to local concerns.

“It’s a small victory for me but a great success for the people who live in Peacehaven.”

Resident Patricia Toner, 74 from Tudor Rose Park, said: “We’re absolutely delighted; there were a lot of people who did not want it moved.

“It would have been too far to walk down and people wouldn't want to hang around for buses.

“It’s a nice office with a nice little shop. If it isn't broke then why fix it?”

The Post Office’s regional network manager for the south Will Russell said: “Having listened very carefully to the views of customers and reviewed all the comments and feedback made, I have decided not to proceed with this move.”