Second petition to save post office account (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

Second petition to save post office account

8:45am Thursday 10th July 2008

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ANOTHER petition fighting to save a Post Office service has collected 200 signatures.

The Roxwell Village post office, in The Street, Roxwell, was collecting signatures of customers in support of the national campaign to keep the Post Office card account.

The petition took place after the Government announced the scheme would go out to tender, which sees the Post Office Ltd having to compete against other companies to offer the service at its stores.

Since 2003 the card account replaced pension books and other services, used for state pensions, benefits and tax credit payments. Post Office Ltd's current contract for the card account expires in 2010.

The petition, taking place at post offices up and down the country, was handed over to West Chelmsford MP Simon Burns, who recently collected a petition with 700 signatures from the Broomfield Parade sub post office.

Christine Knight, who runs the Roxwell post office, said: "The card account is incredibly important because it's such a big part of our business.

"If people come in it leads to other business. If we lose the account, post offices will be in real danger."

Mr Burns said he believed Post Office Ltd had put in a good bid to continue running the service and that he was meeting with the company to discuss the issue on Thursday July 10.

He said: "I believe the Government are considering the tenders they have received, I think the obvious choice is to accept the Post Office's one. They have the network, understand the system and are able to operate it.

"I hope that common sense will prevail and the government can reward the contract to the Post Office."

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