THE FIGHT IS ON TO SAVE TOWNS' LOCAL POST OFFICES - LIB DEMS

7.58.55am GMT Tue 13th Nov 2007

Responding to the announcement of which local post offices could be closed, local Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman, Serena Tierney says: "While it is good news that the government is not proposing to close our village post offices we cannot afford to lose our local post offices in the towns. We have to step up our fight to keep these crucial local services."

Here in Mid Sussex the government is proposing to close 4 post offices in the towns: Franklands Village and America Lane in Haywards Heath; and London Road (St John's Common) and Lower Church Road in Burgess Hill. Consultation about the proposed closures begins today, 13 November.

Serena and local campaigners launching the fight to save local post offices

Commenting further, Serena Tierney said:

"This is a cynical ploy by the government to drive more business to its own main post offices. It will be at the expense of losing local facilities that for many people are an important lifeline."

Local Lib Dem councillors will be at the forefront of the fight to keep our local post offices open. Councillor Charlotte Jones said:

"Everyone must join our campaign to save our post offices. Our community cannot afford to lose what is a vital lifeline for many elderly and disabled people and carers."

Serena added:

"It is vital that the true social value of our local post offices is considered as well as their economic value. Recent research shows that most people find their local post office essential to their way of life. A lot of people lose their independence when they lose their local post office."

The Lib Dems are the only party with proposals to keep the post office network. Under their plans:

• Existing post offices would be retained

• New branches would be opened where needed

• The Post Office would remain in the public sector