Vince Cable

Residents have complained to MP Vincent Cable of long queues at local post offices and, particularly, Teddington High Street.

Post offices have struggled to cope with demand since the closure programme several months ago put additional pressure on the surviving offices. This Christmas Teddington High Street office has seen queues of 20 or more in the street outside, with waits of 45 minutes for service.

Vincent Cable said: the service is deplorable and this problem is entirely predictable since Post Office Counters were warned months ago that closures would bring unreasonable pressure to bear on the remaining branches".

"It is distressing to hear that elderly people and young mothers with babies are being kept waiting for long periods outside in the cold because of incompetence in post office planning. Residents do not blame the staff who are dong their best: but they do - rightly - blame the senior managers who should have seen this difficulty coming and prepared for it".

"I have written to the head of Post Office Counters asking why the necessary action was not taken to prepare for the Christmas rush and what plans there are to meet future pressure".