SENIOR politicians from all parties in Ipswich today united to oppose cuts to post offices in the town.A survey into the future of four threatened Ipswich Post Offices carried out by Ipswich MP Chris Mole and Labour councillors has shown that residents overwhelmingly want to keep their post offices open.

SENIOR politicians from all parties in Ipswich today united to oppose cuts to post offices in the town.

A survey into the future of four threatened Ipswich Post Offices carried out by Ipswich MP Chris Mole and Labour councillors has shown that residents overwhelmingly want to keep their post offices open.

Nearly 300 residents have responded to the survey so far, with more forms being returned every day, but early results show that 95per cent of people responding want to keep their post office open.

Meanwhile his Conservative opponent at the next general election, Ben Gummer, has launched a petition calling for the four threatened post offices in the town to be saved.

Of the people responding to the Labour survey nearly 60pc use their post office at least once a week. The top five uses that residents make of their post offices are: posting letters (45pc), buying stamps (35pc), paying bills or rent (32pc), collecting pension (21pc) and paying car tax (19pc).

Ben Gummer, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Ipswich, has launched a petition to the Prime Minister online on the 10 Downing Street website and can be accessed via www.saveourpostoffices.org.

Mr Gummer said: “The Royal Mail Group must be held to account and must be made to justify these closures in Ipswich.

“These closures have been forced on loyal postmasters and postmistresses. It is up to us to protest on their behalf, and on behalf of the many elderly and disadvantaged people who rely on their local post office.

“In particular, the closure of the Fore Street branch seems quite ludicrous given its proximity to the University Campus Suffolk and the fast-expanding waterfront development.”

During a visit to the Fore Street post office, Chris Mole said: “I am particularly worried about the impact on pensioners if these post offices close and the large numbers of extra people using Tower Ramparts and Carr Street will mean queues will get even longer.

“I will be writing to the Post Office detailing the results of our survey and calling on them to think again about closing post offices in Ipswich.”

Meanwhile Andrew Cann, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Ipswich council, said many people were concerned about the closure of the Christchurch Street post office because it was a long walk into town, especially for those who were elderly or disabled.