Lib Dems battle to save Archway Post Office

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 14th Apr 2003

Local Lib Dems this week stepped up the fight to save the Post Office on Archway Road from closure. Lib Dem Councillor Laura Willoughby, PPC for Islington North and Archway councillor Euan Cameron presented their case for keeping this Post Office open at a council meeting this week. A petition to save this Post Office is also underway organised by Councillor Willoughby and Councillor Sarah Teather, Lib Dem GLA spokesperson for North London, which has already gathered the support of local residents. The decision to close the Post Office on 21 Archway Road comes as over 3000 urban post offices are predicted to close. In Islington alone a quarter of post offices will be forced to shut. This will come on top of the closure of over 4000 post offices since 1990 under both Labour and Tory Governments. The motion put to full council highlighted the need for local post offices such as this which are a valuable resource for local communities, especially for the most vulnerable. Many residents in Archway will have difficulties travelling to the alternative and the loss of this post office may also endanger the existence of the other local shops nearby. The Lib Dems unanimously backed this motion, reaffirming their support for this local post office and welcoming the efforts of local residents and Lib Dem councillors fighting to save it. Labour councillors abstained from voting. Local Archway councillor, Euan Cameron said: "Post offices are the hub of local communities like this one in Archway and it'll break the heart of local residents to see it go. What's more the only alternative is a long trek up a hill which many of those who use this post office just won't be able to do." Councillor Laura Willoughby, Lib Dem PPC for Islington North said: "It's the same old story. First Old Street Post Office and now Archway. We're left wondering where the axe is going to fall next. It looks like this Labour Government has simply abandoned our post offices and that's just not good enough. "Labour councillors claim that their Government is preserving the network of post offices but we all know that's just not the case. We'll continue to push the Government to act now before it's too late. "Your local Lib Dems will be continuing to fight on the behalf of residents in Islington to save our local post offices. If you feel the same then please register your support for us by emailing saveourpostoffice@islingtonfocus.com "