| # | Name | Comments |
|---|
| 51 | P. J. Pond S. A. Pond | I suffer with parkinsons desease and we moved from haroldslea drive four years ago so that we could walk to the post office and the general store.
Even some of our niebours with electric chairs cannot use the subway because it has been blocked to prevent cyclists from riding through.
Should the balcombe road post office be closed we cannot use the post office in consort way its too far
the same applies to shopping. we would be cut off. |
| 52 | Paul Facer | |
| 53 | Dawn Benvenuto | |
| 54 | lynn Eagle | I use the post office facilities on a daily basis and it would be a ridiculous decision to close it as it is a valued service and make no sense whatsoever. Would would benefit ? |
| 55 | Anonymous | |
| 56 | Mrs J Preddy | |
| 57 | Anonymous | I totally disagree with the proposed closure of this Post Office for these reasons:
1. Access to essential and needed services that this Post Office provides in the local community is vital for elderly people. Many people who use this Post Office are elderly and infirm. My mother at 87 years of age, uses the Post Office frequently as it is within her limits of walking. She cannot get into town independently now and there are many others in her situation (some do not have the support of their families).
2. As I live on the Balcombe Road myself I use the facilities of this Post Office for my school (I am a local teacher). We have many links overseas and often send letters through this Post Office as it is in close proximity to the school. This is apart from my own personal use as I also use this Post Office in a variety of ways.
3. The Horley Master Plan means a large residential development is being built on the Eastern outskirts of Horley – many of which will undoubtedly have young families and elderly people. A local service such as this Post Office provides will be of great value to the new residents. If this Post Office closes, the nearest would be in town and for many this would be almost impossible without means of transport. A service within reasonable reach of such housing would help those with transport difficulties (and without having to catch a bus or use their own vehicular means). With the use of the internet and e-mail, surely the Post Office would like to attract not retract their services? Not everybody has these kinds of facilities. The elderly certainly don’t!!
4. The Lee Street branch of the Post Office on the west side of Horley has not been selected to be closed. The Balcombe Road branch on the east has! Both these branches give vital, essential services to the outlying local communities. Balcombe Road Post Office serves a greater area – almost to Smnallfield! This does not make sense!
5. The standard of service is excellent, providing a familiar face, reliable service and advice.
Please consider my reasons. This closure would be a detriment to the local community! |
| 58 | Mr & Mrs T. Fendley | Both myself and my mother use the Balcombe Rd, P.O. every day. Myself because I run my own business from home, so I am posting items everyday.
My mother also uses to pay bills, and collect her pension each week. The main P.O. in the town is too far for to travel. The Balcombe Rd P.O. should NOT be closed. I could not reccommend anyone higher for her hard work and long hours as the postmisstress Ms Johal. She has always been most helpful and knowledgable of all her postal duties. LET'S SAVE THIS POST OFFICE for the whiole of the Horley communitity. |
| 59 | Anonymous | As a pensioner living on the Langshott estate I can walk to the Balcombe Road Postoffice, if it closes I will have to take a bus to buy a few stamps or drive my car and pay a parking fee.
The closure is also shortsighted as several hundred new houses are to be built in the area,can the office at Martins cope with all the extra business whenever I have been in there I have always had to queue. Balcombe Road is always busy which means there is a need, but the service is friendly and efficient. |
| 60 | Stephen Howard Partnership | We have been using this Post Office unit for the past five years and have a large traffic of special parcels which take time and patience which the postmistress always exhibits. We feel that the loss of this essential tool of our business requiring us to go to the main post office and adding to the congestion there and delays and the added parking problems. to close this outlet is unnecessary and a backwood step for the post office who is trying to grow the business not reducing it. It means we will certainly be looking around for possible alternative services.
I do hope you take heed of the feelings of the customers in the area and not use the numbers game. |
| 61 | Howard Easterbrook. | |
| 62 | Janis Cole | |
| 63 | Richard Bethell | It would be absolutely wrong to close the Balcombe Road Post Office, because many local people depend on it. It is additionally needed because 700 new homes are currently being built in the area |
| 64 | Mrs Greta McLean | I am an 85 year old pensioner who has lived in Horley on the Balcombe Road for 40years. It is ridiculous to see all the adverts currently on tv promoting using the post office when they are closing them! This is a well used and busy post office within walking distance. If they are not making profits then perhaps they could alter their management and business plans accordingly. It seems counter -productive and short sighted to cut services to their customers. |
| 65 | Ursula Davisson | |
| 66 | Anonymous | |
| 67 | Bryan Routledge | I totally endorse the summary to the right, particularly the need for Post Office facilities with an ever larger and expanding community. |
| 68 | Tim Trew | The Balcombe Road Post Office is really convenient and gives excellent service. |
| 69 | Mr & Mrs Tocker | This is the only Post Office that is open past 5.30pm - essential to people like ourselves who do not work near to a town and have only 1/2hr lunch break. we have relatives in NZ and Australia and friends in Spain and Geneva that we regularly send parcels and cards to, none of which can be posted without being weighed. There is also parking at this particular post office which means parcels do not have to be carried any distance. Planning permission has now been received for an additional 107 houses on the site of the old kennels in Langshott Lane, there will be no other post office within an easy walk of these, or the other houses currently being built on Langshott. Vicky Johal has seen the need for extended opening times to accommodate all residents in her area and is a valuable asset to all and sundry. |
| 70 | Carolyne Trew | I want to sign the petition not to close the Balcombe Road Post Officce |
| 71 | Carolyne Trew | I want to sign the petition not to close the Balcombe Road Post Officce |
| 72 | Anonymous | Dear Sir/Madame,
I strongly pleed for keeping The Balcombe Post Office branch open. We chose to have our office at Station Road because of the faciilities nearby. Key was this office. Our mailing passes the 4000 pieces a month. However we are anly a small charity and we also need to meet the ends and be good stewards of the funds that are entrusted to us by our donors. Not having this facility could bring more costs with it because we have to arrange collection for our monthly mailing (14 to 17 bags weighing 11kg per bag is a "little" too much to carry it on my back to town center). Besides that I strongly believe that a post office somehow still has a social role in the community. I'm all for Royal Mail to be cost effective and efficient, but if that means over the back of small businesses and charities like ours, I would say give people and businesses alternatives they can go to with their mail. Obviously there is some competion but as far as we know they are still at some level "strangled" so to speak by Royal Mail.
Anyway having said all this; KEEP POSTOFFICE BRANCHE BALCOMB ROAD open.
Although I marked the box display my name as anonymous, I am always prepared to give additional information.
Sincerely yours,
Metro Ministries (UK)
Adriaan Paliama
Company Secretary |
| 73 | Horley Town Council | At the Town Council’s Planning Committee meeting on 5 February 2008, members unanimously agreed to support the campaign to keep the Balcombe Road Post Office open.
Peter Ainsworth, local Member of Parliament has stated, “The Government has opened Royal Mail up to much greater competition, whilst denying them the freedom they need to compete effectively, by limiting the products and services they provide”.
From statistics provided there are approximately 14,200 post office branches across the country. The Government has already closed around 4,000 branches since 1997, and plans to close a further 2,500 over the next two years. There are currently only 19 post offices in total in the East Surrey constituency.
The Balcombe Road Post Office is open every weekday until 7.30 pm and also on Saturdays until 1230 pm. It deals with up to 500 “customer sessions” per week (ref Post Office web site). The Town Council believes that it is important for this local post office to remain open. The Post Office’s own customer age profile states that as many as 16% of nearby residents are retired and it should not be forgotten that many users of this branch are elderly and infirm. The Post Office in Martins Newsagents, Consort Way, is nominated as the main alternative site. It is already a busy branch, dealing with nearly 3,000 weekly sessions, and often has long queues. It would be almost impossible for many Horley residents to travel to this town centre branch without some means of transport. Retaining the Balcombe Road branch would allow a community service to be kept within reasonable reach of the proposed new housing developments and would also assist those living nearby who experience transport difficulties.
As a result of Horley Master Plan proposals, a large residential development is currently being built on the eastern outskirts of Horley, which will house both young and old alike. The Balcombe Road Post Office would, without doubt, will be of great value to these new residents. The Town Council strongly believes it would be illogical to close a Post Office at this critical phase of Horley’s development.
Peter Ainsworth, MP has organised a Public Meeting to be held on Saturday 1 March at Oakwood School starting at 1230 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting.
Press release ref HTC/2008/002
Issued by Horley Town Council on 8 Feb 2008
www.horleysurrey-tc.gov.uk |
| 74 | Genevieve Stebbings | I would be very sad to see the Post office close. As a busy working Mum I find it really handy to be able to pop in and post a parcel or get some stamps without having to go to a larger Post Office with never-ending queues and short tempers. I live on the Langshott Estate and have done so since 1990. There are lots of young mum's and elderly people closeby who would be really inconvenienced by the closure of this branch. |
| 75 | Samantha Marshall | |
| 76 | Glynn Bonner | As anyone who uses the underpass under the railway will know that when it rains heavily the underpass gets flooded. The alternative is the footbridge so the elderly and disabled especially those in wheelchairs and mobility scooters will have to travel at least an extra half mile via Horley station to reach the main post office.
The local trading estates are large users of the Balcombe Road office because it is so convenient thus saving working hours. The new housing development in the north east sector will also need a local post office. Perhaps Post Office Ltd. intend to open a new one in this area!! |
| 77 | B.J.&Mrs M.Cakebread | We have written directly to Post Office Ltd expressing our concerns and detailing the difficulties faced by the elderly and infirm if forced to use Martins in central Horley. Many are unable to use bus services and roads are dangerous in that area. |
| 78 | Mrs L Caillault | |
| 79 | Patricia Mackintosh | Shutting this PO is a disgrace. The woman that runs Balcombe Road PO is a pleasure to deal with and one of the hardest working people I have ever come across, she works about 10 hrs a day, always helpfull and cheerfull. The alterbnative of the main PO in Horley fills me with dread, out with the car, pay & park, walk, queue, look at shut counters and those open at people paid to just to a job and they look it. Glad I am not a pensioner. This Gvmt is a disgrace, take take take and nothing backm knowing we have no choice. Severely unimpressed.
Pat Mackintosh - Inholms Farm RH6 9DU |
| 80 | Stuart Nadin | |
| 81 | Jacquie Nadin | |
| 82 | Edward Hentley | Closure will cause great inconvenience to local residents for whom this branch is a key feature of this locality. If closure of the postal side was to lead to the loss of the 'corner' shop this would leave this section of the town and local school without convenience shoping. The proposal has clearly not been well thought out as Government directed plans will greatly increase housing close by and the need to travel into the main PO will increase the ' carbon footprint' significantly. |
| 83 | Anonymous | This Post Office provides a vital service to the community. The service provided by the main Post Office in Horley is already very poor, with long waiting times to be served. This is likely to get worse with the new houses being built and also traffic congestion in the town centre will increase. |
| 84 | Jean-Luc Pellet | The Post Offices big brasses should take care about what local people require, instead of deciding completely ignoring them. If they want to save money they should cut there enormous salaries first. It is a disgrace for the very good Ms Johal who knows her work so well. Please do something about this stupid decision. |
| 85 | stuart ritchie | |
| 86 | annette ritchie | |
| 87 | emily ritchie | |
| 88 | Joan Bridgland | If the closure of the Balcombe Road post office goes ahead, forcing people to go to the Consort Way office, where there are always long queues already, the elderly and the disabled like myself, will be forced to stand in line for even longer. I am disgusted that service to the public no longer seems to count, but only profit. This is a service which should be subsidised if necessary. |
| 89 | Anonymous | If the closure of the Balcombe Road post office goes ahead, forcing people to go to the Consort Way office, where there are always long queues already, the elderly and the disabled like myself, will be forced to stand in line for even longer. I am disgusted that service to the public no longer seems to count, but only profit. This is a service which should be subsidised if necessary. |
| 90 | Joan Bridgland | If the closure of the Balcombe Road post office goes ahead, forcing people to go to the Consort Way office, where there are always long queues already, the elderly and the disabled like myself, will be forced to stand in line for even longer. I am disgusted that service to the public no longer seems to count, but only profit. This is a service which should be subsidised if necessary. |
| 91 | Anonymous | This post office is a vital part of the local community and should be kept open, especially with the construction of additional housing in the area. The queues at the main post office in Horley are often so long that people do not have time to wait. |
| 92 | Peter Lynch | Shutting these local POs is a disgrace, how OAP's are to struggle to a main PO beggard beleif. The Balcombe Rd PO is a hub of the Horley community and gives the main PO in Horley some glimpse of what service is all about.
In the middle of all these proposed cost saving, with horror I view a Wendy Richards PO advert on SKY, followed directly after a 2nd starring Chris Ewbank, seeking insurance cover for his famous stretched Kenworth juggernaut - 1 KO, interesting to see him drive the monster away from directly outside what is clearly a small sub PO. Try parking that monster in the Horley payale car park. It is also an insult to show the filmed PO in the advert as clearly one of a size proposed for closure. Have the guts to switch venues to a main with 7 out of 10 windows shut any any one time. Case of left not knowing what the right is doing, at vast expense.
Peter Lynch, Inholms Farm RH6 9DU |
| 93 | Andy Grace | |
| 94 | Mr P. J. Pond Mrs S. A. Pond | We moved house deliberately four years ago so that we were closer to the post office in balcombe road as a parkinsons sufferer I am very restricted in walking. I apologise for missing the next meeting but we are on holiday at that time. I would point out the large number of people living in langshot estate
soon to be doubled. |
| 95 | Brian Perkins | As discussed today at Oakwood the Balcombe Rd Post Office is essential to the large developement in the North East of Landshott. To increase footfalls why does the Post Office Management place terminals in each location for people who do not have access to a PC to purchase Road fund TV license ect. The sub postmaster would guide these people thru the process and could be paid for the service. There are other avenues they could follow but they are all very blinkered. Why is the Meath Green P O staying open? |
| 96 | Anonymous | I concur with your comments and would stress that with the additional building work now in progress to the North of the Langshott estate,Horley (being built on flood plains,and disturbing the habitat of the wildlife - deer/bats/voles etc.) a local post office is essential - Balcombe Road.
At present myself (on my business - use this office on a daily basis) and WALK,as do many other people around my area - helping with the environment,by not using cars.
If having to go to Horley Town centre or the Smallfield office,then obviously we would drive.
Ms.Johal is very efficient,helpful and has been a real asset - a re-think by Post Office Ltd. should be urgently considered,especially regarding the number of OAP's who live in the area. |
| 97 | s.m.borer | i believe closing so many local post offices like the Balcombe Rd one will have a negative effect on the community. It is an important facility for many people and should not be withdrawn. The internet is no replacement-alot of people can't or do not prefer to use it. Besides, certain things have to be done in person. Closure will result in more people having to drive to town centres-bad for the environment and congestion on the roads. Many elderly or disabled folk cannot drive and rely on their local post offic |
| 98 | Trudy Terry | |
| 99 | L Howell | |
| 100 | Jane Cameron | Please add me to your petition to stop the closure of Horley's Balcombe Rd Post Office. Also my husband, John Stewart. |