Cllr Jon Ball hits out at Ealing Post Office closures

12.00.00am GMT Tue 19th Feb 2008

Cllr Jon Ball, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Ealing Central and Acton, has been campaigning against the threat to close 20% of London's post offices alongside Lib Dem Mayoral candidate, Brian Paddick.

Commenting on the closures, Cllr Ball said:

"When Labour were in opposition they criticised Conservative Post Office cuts; but now they are in government, as with so much else, Labour are taking their lead from the Tories.

"It really beggars belief that Labour plan to close yet more Post Offices in Ealing. Postal Services in the borough were already cut to the bone during the last round of closures. These new cuts heap insult on injury.

"If Labour really care about the needs of local people, as they claim, then they have a strange way of showing it."

London Mayoral candidate, Brian Paddick said:

"Post Offices are often the heart of a local community and we must all do our utmost to preserve them. The trouble with economic arguments is that they leave people out of the equation and they are the most important part.

"Many people rely on a local Post Office, and to close 20% of London's Post Offices just shows a complete disregard for the needs of the local communities."

The branches threatened with closure in Ealing are:

1. Greenford Green, 1238 Greenford Road, UB6

2. The Avenue, 22 The Avenue, W13

3. Boileau Parade, 2 Boileau Parade, W5

4. Bollo Bridge Road, 102-104 Bollo Bridge Road, W3

5. Churchfied Road, 24 Churchfield Road, W3

6. Haven Green, 2 Madeley Road, Haven Green, W5

7. Norwood Green, 175 Norwood Road, UB2

8. Park Parade, 6 Park Parade, Gunnersbury Avenue, W3

Six of these are in the Ealing Central and Acton constituency.