Our MP, Kate Hoey, tweeted this week, "Briefing from local CWU branch-Crampton Street Delivery office to move to Mandela Way.Bad for customers".
A member of our family, like many others in Kennington, walks or cycles to Crampton Street most months to pick up an undelivered package there. Along the way we might have a coffee at the Electric Elephant Cafe. We walk or cycle because, like two-thirds of households in Lambeth we don't have a car and it's sufficiently close that a bus ride is not needed.
Moving the sorting office to Mandela way would add 40 minutes to the trip if walking, 15 if cycling. Those who have cars will be tempted to drive rather than walk, while others will take a bus each way. Alternatively people may opt to pay for the package to be delivered, likely to result in an additional van journey.
It's an appalling proposition given that congestion, air quality, health and climate change all require fewer motor vehicle journeys to be make.
Kate Hoey forcefully and effectively challenged the attempt to close Kennington Park Post Office.
I hope that Kate and our Councillors will oppose the plans to close the Crampton Street Delivery office (and, of course, the plans to close Walworth Road Post Office) or assure us that an equally local, convenient, secure and free collection point will be provided within comfortable walking distance.
