§ Mr. Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con)I rise this evening to present a petition of no fewer than 731 of my constituents of Romford who are deeply concerned by the prospect that one of their local post offices could be closed under the current review being conducted by Post Office Ltd. The petitioners are concerned that the Victoria road post office could be yet another victim of the review and the policy that has led to post office closures throughout the country.
The Victoria road post office serves the area of my constituency between Victoria road in central Romford and the Brentwood road, which borders the constituency of Hornchurch. It serves a large community, and many elderly people live in the area and depend heavily on the services that it provides. It is a focal point in the community and if it were to close, it would have a damaging effect on the local area.
The petition is supported by all shopkeepers in Victoria road and the surrounding area of central Romford. It is strongly supported by St. Alban's church in Princes road in Romford, together with the parents of children at local schools, including Manor primary school. It is also supported by members of the local residents association—the New Century residents association—and has the backing of the three local councillors for the Romford Town ward: Wendy Brice—Thompson, Frederic Thompson and Andrew Curtin. The main signatory to the petition is Mr. Ajit Chaterjee, a former teacher of mine at Marshalls Park school.
The petition reads as follows:
To the House of Commons
The Petition of the People of the Victoria Road area of Romford
Declares that Victoria Road Post Office is threatened with closure. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons does all in its power to keep Victoria Road Post Office open.
And the Petitioners Remain, etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.