Post problem

THE residents of St Neots are sometimes reminded by the local press that they live in the largest town in Cambridgeshire. That being so, why are vital services and amenities allowed to close with little or no protest or resistance from our elected representatives, both national and local?

Some years ago the town lost its employment exchange and prior to that the utilities services offices, all to the detriment of the local inhabitants.

What is next after the GPO, which I am reliably informed has been in New Street since 1912?

For at least half of that time it has served the population of St Neots, Eynesbury and the Eatons, which used to number no more than 5,000, but which now must have increased substantially by possibly five times that amount with further increases planned in the near future.

So why is it that the Post Office is allowed to close a public service facility then transfer it to a private company with inferior premises, with little doubt followed by inferior service, from a purpose-built building with trained staff which in itself could be overcrowded at certain times?

However, that is nothing like the situation that is likely to prevail in the proposed newsagent's shop.

I have read the leaflet, Branch Change, which although quite a lengthy leaflet gives no reason for the decision. But it does state that it is a commercial decision by Post Office Limited with a franchise partner.

What it doesn't mention is any improvement in service. It also states that their decision is not subject to public debate or consent, with which seemingly Postwatch, the independent consumer council, agrees.

St Neots Post Office should close only if and when the Post Office builds a new one with better facilities that will serve the present and future generations as well as it has done in the past.

R CLARK, Eaton Ford