Battle lines
SIR, — Re the proposed closure of the Station Road North post office branch in Harpenden. The Post Office appears to have got it wrong. Please take part in the public consultation process by writing to the Post Office – Laura Tarling, Network Development
SIR, - Re the proposed closure of the Station Road North post office branch in Harpenden. The Post Office appears to have got it wrong. Please take part in the public consultation process by writing to the Post Office - Laura Tarling, Network Development Manager, FREEPOST Consultation Team or you can send you views and comments to consultation@postoffice.co.uk
There is no need for a long literary masterpiece, just a few lines is all it takes, and it is Freepost so there is no need for a stamp. Remember the consultation closes on August 26.
The Post Office criteria says that 95 per cent of the urban population should be within one mile of their nearest post office branch but the closure of Station Road North means that many of the most vulnerable people in the area will have considerably further to travel.
The River Lea means people cannot travel as the crow flies. A total of 1,702 residential properties lie within the yellow shaded area on the Harpenden One-Mile Travel Distance Area which has been prepared by council officers at my request. If we take an average of two people per household, this is 3,400 people over one mile from their next nearest post office in the town centre, well over their UK aim.
While talking to people it became obvious that the main Harpenden post office cannot cope with the customers it already has with queues frequently snaking out of the door.
People go out of their way to make use of the free small car park in Marquis Lane and they really appreciate the friendly and efficient service they get from Sheila and Dave. The main post office only has street parking or a fair walk from an expensive car park.
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The PO Access Report states that there are steps at the entrance to 107 Station Road North but there are two entrances. Access to this post office building is available for disabled and wheelchairs. The route between the post offices is very hilly - no allowance has been made for this which causes additional pressures for individuals or low-mobility customers.
Local businesses (small industrial area located very close) and self-employed all use this post office for parcels etc due to its locality and convenience.
If it closes they will move to an alternative provider, due to access and the time factor in travelling/queuing, thus the Post Office overall will lose business/money.
The data is historical and does not allow for new housing developments already being built (Pinney's and Jarvis) numbering over 60 extra units this year within 300 metres of 107 Station Road.
MIKE WAKELY,
St Albans District and Harpenden Town Councillor.
