7/27/2019 PO Final
1/2
arborfield-garrison-rag.org.uk
DateIssued:Tuesday22ndOctober2013
GARRISONPOSTOFFICECLOSURECAUSINGHARDSHIPFORPENSIONERS
ThesuddenandpermanentclosureoftheArborfieldGarrisonPostOfficeiscausing
hardshipforlocalpensionersandthemorevulnerablemembersofthecommunityclaimsa
localresidentsactiongroup.
GillPurchase,spokeswomenfortheArborfieldGarrisonResidentsActionGroup(AGRAG)
saysdespitebeingre-assuredbyboththePostOfficeandMODcontractors(CompassESS)
theclosurewasatemporarymeasure,ithasnowbeenconfirmedithasshutitsdoorsfor
good!
Shecontinues.Thereasongivenwasthatitwasfelttherewasanunacceptableriseincrime
andtheyhadnochoicebuttoclose.However,otherPostOfficesintheareahavehada
similarspatofminorcrimeandtheyremainopen.Iftheycanbattleon,whycouldntthe
Garrisonfacility?
WeareawarethelackofalocalPostOfficeiscausinggenuinehardshiptoOAPswhoare
strugglingtotraveltooneeachweektodrawtheirpension.Wealsoknowitscausinga
hugeamountofinconveniencetootherresidentswhohavetotravelalmost10milesto
collectundeliveredmail-asthenearestPostOfficesinBarkhamandFinchampsteadare
outsideourpost-codedeliveryarea.
MsPurchaseadds.WearefuriouswiththeMODandtheirlackofconcernovertheimpact
thisishavingonthemostvulnerablemembersofourcommunity.TheGrouphasnow
writtentotheMinisterresponsibleforCommunityAffairs(JoSwinton)askingforan
explanationonwhythesix-weekstatutoryobligationtoconsultthepublicontheintended
closurewasignored.ItwouldhavehighlightedhowmuchbothcivilianandArmyfamilies
needalocalPostOfficenotonethatisoverthreemilesaway.
