9 March 2009
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown presents a petition from the people of Wotton-under-Edge calling for the Royal Mail sorting office to remain open.
10.5 pm
Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold) (Con): I have the honour to present a petition on behalf of my constituents in Wotton-under-Edge, who face the closure of their sorting office by Royal Mail. They call on the Government to intervene with Royal Mail to prevent the closure.
The petition states:
declares that they
Following is the full text of the petition:
[The Petition of the Mayor of Wotton-under-Edge Town Council on behalf of the Community of Wotton-under-Edge and hinterland,
Declares that the community of Wotton-under-Edge and its hinterland wish the Royal Mail Sorting Office in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, to remain open;
Further declares that there has been overwhelming support from the community for the Sorting Office to remain in Wotton-under-Edge, an independent Market Town of 5700 people with a hinterland of villages, who are struggling to keep shops and services going;
Notes that Cam Sorting Office is a 14 mile return trip from Wotton-under-Edge, and that the area is poorly served by public transport; further notes that the town has an aging population who would struggle to collect undelivered mail; further notes that there is concern for the postmen and women who will have to make this extra journey with all its ramifications of financial and environmental cost.
Further declares that the community is worried by the detrimental effect the closure will have on the economic well-being of the town and particularly its business community; further declares that the town is already suffering through the recession and could well see further job losses as a consequence;
Notes that much of the data and other information supplied by Royal Mail is incorrect and has continued to be used despite the town’s attempts to amend it; further notes that the Royal Mail has undertaken no meaningful consultation with the community, having only spoken to three people invited to the Sorting Office.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to act to ensure on behalf of the people of Wotton-under-Edge and surrounding villages that the Sorting Office remains open and the service is not moved to the village of Cam, Gloucestershire.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.]
[P000325]
| Hansard
10.5 pm
Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold) (Con): I have the honour to present a petition on behalf of my constituents in Wotton-under-Edge, who face the closure of their sorting office by Royal Mail. They call on the Government to intervene with Royal Mail to prevent the closure.
The petition states:
The Petition of the Mayor of Wotton-under-Edge Town Council on behalf of the Community of Wotton-under-Edge and hinterland,
declares that they
wish the Royal Mail Sorting Office in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, to remain open... The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to act to ensure on behalf of the people of Wotton-under-Edge and surrounding villages that the Sorting Office remains open and the service is not moved to the village of Cam, Gloucestershire.
Following is the full text of the petition:
[The Petition of the Mayor of Wotton-under-Edge Town Council on behalf of the Community of Wotton-under-Edge and hinterland,
Declares that the community of Wotton-under-Edge and its hinterland wish the Royal Mail Sorting Office in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, to remain open;
Further declares that there has been overwhelming support from the community for the Sorting Office to remain in Wotton-under-Edge, an independent Market Town of 5700 people with a hinterland of villages, who are struggling to keep shops and services going;
Notes that Cam Sorting Office is a 14 mile return trip from Wotton-under-Edge, and that the area is poorly served by public transport; further notes that the town has an aging population who would struggle to collect undelivered mail; further notes that there is concern for the postmen and women who will have to make this extra journey with all its ramifications of financial and environmental cost.
Further declares that the community is worried by the detrimental effect the closure will have on the economic well-being of the town and particularly its business community; further declares that the town is already suffering through the recession and could well see further job losses as a consequence;
Notes that much of the data and other information supplied by Royal Mail is incorrect and has continued to be used despite the town’s attempts to amend it; further notes that the Royal Mail has undertaken no meaningful consultation with the community, having only spoken to three people invited to the Sorting Office.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to act to ensure on behalf of the people of Wotton-under-Edge and surrounding villages that the Sorting Office remains open and the service is not moved to the village of Cam, Gloucestershire.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.]
[P000325]
| Hansard