The ruling Lib Dem/Tory coalition on City of York Council has stated that it will not oppose the closure of York’s Crown Post Office, prior to the end of a public consultation this month, despite widespread public outcry against the decision.
York Labour, along with the Communication Worker’s Union (CWU), have been campaigning against the closure, with an online and street petition and a Christmas postcard campaign led by York Central MP Rachael Maskell. Support for the campaign has been strong, with dismay expressed over the relocation to WH Smith on Coney Street, with access for disabled and older people being of particular concern.
Labour councillor Danny Myers last week asked the council leader, Coun. Ian Gillies, if he would arrange an urgent public meeting to formally sign off the council’s opposition to the move by agreeing to respond to the public consultation. But this week Conservatives confirmed that all they have done is issue a public statement expressing concerns about postal vehicle access to WH Smith during pedestrianised hours.
Cllr. Myers said: “It’s hugely disappointing to see Conservatives and Liberal Democrats simply turn their backs on this awful decision by the Post Office. We are seriously concerned, despite what Post Office says, that the public is going to lose some of those services currently available at Lendal.
“We are also concerned about the long term continuity of services now that they are set to be located in a private high street business, which could close at any time. If that were to happen, it appears post office services would go the same way”.
Cllr. Myers said that Labour will be responding to the public consultation that ends on 28th December, and urges others concerned about the proposal to express their views via the post office national consultations pages online.
“We think the public will see a negative impact from this move in what is effectively the downgrading of a valued public service. It runs the risk of the public turning away from the Post Office at a time when it needs its custom as much as ever”.
The online petition against the closure can be found here, while participation in the national consultation can be done through this site.