Crispin Blunt

Conservative Party | Reigate

POST OFFICES TO CLOSE IN REIGATE CONSTITUENCY “LOCAL STREETS AT RISK” SAYS REIGATE MP

Crispin Blunt MP today deplored the Post Office’s plans to close post offices at Holmethorpe on Frenches Road, South Earlswood on Horley Road and in South Merstham. This follows three recent closures and could see the local post office network cut from what was recently 20 down to 14 in the Reigate constituency. 2,500 post offices will be closing across the country representing 20% of the network.

The Government and Postcomm (the Postal Services Commission) opened the Royal Mail to competition while denying it the ability to compete. This has led to the closure of over 4,000 sub-post offices since 1997. The closure of post offices affects some of the most vulnerable people in Britain who depend on their services for their daily needs.

Speaking this morning Crispin Blunt commented: “I am very concerned at this further assault on post offices. Three post offices serving my constituents have already closed and this latest consultation proposes to reduce the service from seventeen post offices down to fourteen. A post office is part of a community’s identity and economy and I am particularly concerned at the closure of the post office in South Merstham as it serves an identifiable community there and puts at risk the hard work in maintaining a viable high street."