I RECEIVED a Liberal Democrat newsletter about post office closures and the fact that York MP Hugh Bayley voted in favour of closure of urban post offices.

So I am perplexed by the report in the paper (September 4) where two Labour councillors are pictured collecting a petition against post office closures and are fulminating against this terrible action by the Labour Government.

I assume these Labour councillors are a splinter group of the Labour Party, or are they trying to hoodwink us into believing it is not their Government to blame for these closures?

Mrs Cicely Palmer,

Ambrose Street,

York.

...I STRONGLY object to the move to close post offices all over the York area.

My area of South Bank will lose two post offices - Albemarle Road and Bishopthorpe Road - whose catchment areas have aged populations plus mothers and children who will be unable to get into town for their allowances.

No mention of this was made when the post offices in question started the drive to do away with people's "benefit books," and urged customers to open an account in post offices and banks.

We need a petition to show post office bosses how people feel about the loss of this local amenity.

I urge the Evening Press to help York people and show Royal Mail bosses that "we need our post offices."

Roselyne Ann Calam,

Trafalgar Street,

South Bank, York.

...I AM very concerned that the closure of Bishopthorpe Road post office is even being considered.

A great many elderly people live in this area. Some live in warden-controlled flats and many, myself included, still live in our own homes.

We are all a stone's throw from our post office.

Post chiefs are suggesting that, if this closure is carried out, we can use Micklegate post office, which means a 50-yard walk to the nearest bus stop at this end and a 350 to 400-yard walk from the bus stop at the other. If you wish to go by car there are parking restrictions in Micklegate.

So you can understand why so many of us are concerned about the loss of our post office.

Has the post office consultant team ever considered the disturbance this closure will cause for so many people?

HA Greaves,

Bishopthorpe Road,

York.

Updated: 11:21 Wednesday, September 08, 2004