Further to my recent letter on safeguarding post offices.

I was extremely pleased to see that Putney main post office reopened today after a two-week closure. But this welcome news still leaves major matters of concern for the public the main question being: How can the main post office in a busy centre such as Putney be allowed to be closed to the public for two weeks?

As post offices are still an important and valued public service, further questions are: Surely the Post Office, if it sells/franchises a main PO, has something in the contract about emergency provision?

If a contract is broken, surely the Post Office has it in the contract that the responsibility reverts to it?

What is the obligation on the Post Office to provide continuous service and keep the public informed?

What about the existing staff?

How can the public be better informed?

Even now there is nothing outside the shop to tell people it has reopened.

I have written to the responsible manager to seek urgent replies to these important public issues and to have a meeting to ensure that the public especially pensioners get the continuous service they rightfully deserve.

Jeremy Ambache Liberal Democrat Prospective parliamentary candidate for Putney

Published in WBN - Thursday 24th March 2005