Post Office Pleas
Plans to close seven of Hackney's Post Offices have been met with dismay by residents.
Thousands responded to a campaign calling on the Post Office to scrap the controversial proposals.
And a Council consultation found residents feared the most vulnerable members of society would suffer if the closures went ahead.
The threatened local branches make up more than a quarter of the borough's Post Offices and offer vital services.
The Council is supporting residents in protesting against the proposals, which were announced in March.
Following its consultation, Hackney has sent a detailed report to the Post Office, outlining how closures would affect local people, particularly in areas with no banks or building societies and few non-charging cash machines.
Tim Shields, the Council's Chief Executive, said: "Our message is clear - these proposals would impact significantly on the most vulnerable residents in the borough.
"The Post Office says that customers would still be within a mile of their nearest branch, but that is a long difficult journey for some, particularly older people.
"We strongly urge the Post Office to reconsider its plans and to take full account of their effects on the lives of residents."
"More research is needed on how neighbouring branches would cope with extra demand," he added.
Hackney faces losing 27 per cent of its Post Offices, compared to an average of 18 per cent nationwide, despite the borough being one of the county's ten most deprived areas.
It is estimated that up to 35 per cent of those living in urban deprived areas, like Hackney, do not have access to bank accounts and use Post Offices to pay bills and withdraw cash instead.
Residents urge reprieve
One resident wrote to the Council saying: "I work with a number of elderly and disabled people who will find the closure of their local Post Office very difficult."
A single parent with a son with disabilities said: "The closure of my nearest Post Office will have a massive impact on our lives. We depend on it for a variety of services and convenience."
Another said: "A mile may not seem far for a young, healthy, or fit person, but for an elderly or disabled person it may be an almost impossible journey."
While a resident with mobility problems said: "I am joining the vast number of residents who oppose any closures of Post Offices in Hackney. They provide a vital service, for older and disabled people and those on low incomes. I for one would find it very difficult to travel a mile to my nearest Post Office. I pay all my bills there and sometimes can only get to the Post Office and no further."
Research by Hackney Homes has shown that more than half of the rent paid by social housing tenants is done over the counter at Post Offices.
The Council also believes there are at least 14,500 more residents in Hackney than official figures based on the 2001 census show, potentially skewing the Post Office's initial research.
The Greater London Authority is taking the Post Office to the High Court in a bid to extend the consultation period.
Page updated: 14 Apr 2008