A letter from local MP John McDonnell to Ms Anita Turner of the Post Office National Consultation Team

Proposed Post Office Closures

I am writing with regard to the proposed Post Office closures within my constituency. I am aware that there are three under threat; 382 Bath Road West Drayton, 153 North Hyde Road Hayes and 1086 Uxbridge Road, Hayes.

On behalf of the community I represent I am writing to totally oppose these proposals. Indeed I have not received a single representation or met a single organisation or individual in my constituency who has expressed support for your proposals.

I wish to make it abundantly clear that I am writing on behalf of all those organisations and members of my community who have made representations to me with their concerns about these proposals. This includes local councillors, Hayes local residents associations, the local pensioners association, the Hayes and Harlington Community Development Forum, local shopkeepers and businesses and numerous individuals.

These particular branches serve high density housing estates and the communities who live there should not be expected to travel the distances proposed to access Post Office services.

Unfortunately you have not taken into account the specific geography and demographics of these estates and communities. They are based in areas of deprivation and have a large number of isolated elderly and retired people and young families.

I have also been approached by people with disabilities as well as their representative organisations. They have strongly expressed their concern about the difficulties they will experience visiting an alternative Post Office.

The closure of these branches would cause severe hardship and inconvenience to so many people and as such I have to voice my opposition to this proposal and request you think again about removing what I and my constituents regard as a vital community facility.

I do hope that your final decision on this matter will not include the closure of these branches.

Yours sincerely
John McDonnell MP

Local MP John McDonnell supports No Smoking Day in Hayes and Harlington

No Smoking Day (12th March) is encouraging smokers in Hayes and Harlington to take The Great No Smoking Day Challenge and kick the habit. In its 25th year, No Smoking Day is challenging smokers to quit for a week and take the opportunity to find out about help and support available for when they are ready to stop smoking.

Local MP John McDonnell is supporting this year’s No Smoking Day campaign. Thousands of No Smoking Day events are taking place all over the UK. There will be many sports activities, including local football clubs getting involved. Stop smoking services, fire and rescue services, supermarkets, and many more are out and about to help and support smokers who are ready to take the challenge!

Local MP John McDonnell said: “No Smoking Day is a fantastic campaign to help and support smokers who want to stop smoking. I’m encouraging smokers in Hayes and Harlington to take The Great No Smoking Day Challenge and give up cigarettes for good!

“Visit your local stop smoking service for help and advice on how to stop smoking and increase your chances of success by up to four times.”

Dan Tickle, Chief Executive of No Smoking Day, the charity behind the annual health awareness campaign, says, “Good luck to all smokers in Hayes and Harlington who are taking The Great No Smoking Day Challenge to improving their health in the best possible way on 12 March. Stopping smoking is the ultimate lifestyle overhaul. You’ll feel fitter and healthier and have more energy and more money! Good luck!”

For a free quit pack and motivational emails/texts go to www.nosmokingday.org.uk